Eva Corlett
Radio New Zealand
Auckland, February 16, 2018
Supplies sent to cyclone-hit Pacific Islands could end up sitting unopened in ports, the Red Cross in Samoa has said.
Community groups in New Zealand have set up collections for donated clothes and food to send to family and friends, but aid agencies are urging well-meaning groups to send cash rather than supplies.
Tonga, worst-hit
Tonga was worst-hit by the category five storm that swept the region, while parts of Fiji and Samoa also suffered damage.
Red Cross Secretary General in Samoa Namulauulu Tautala Mauala said that groups sending goods could risk their containers sitting unopened in ports.
She said that biosecurity regulations and tariffs could hinder the aid getting to its destination.
“Goods would be accepted but cash is more useful. We have run household assessments and now we have started distributing, especially hygiene kits and water. We are also giving out temporary shelter, which are tarpaulin, things like that, according to the needs of our people,” she said.
Youth Group helps
Caroline Pili Tufunga-Paepae, who is a part of the Otahuhu-Mangere Youth Group, said that supporting the islands from Otahuhu, or what she calls ‘Little Tonga’, was natural.
The Group plans to coordinate with larger aid agencies, to ensure goods reach their families and friends.
“Pacific Islanders … family is the number one priority and I guess when something happens, that is their first instinct, family, and we have got to actually get together and help. It is important that the community in New Zealand felt it was contributing,” she said.
Tongan Advisory Council Chair Melino Maka, who also sits on the Pacific Advisory Board to the Red Cross, said it would be unwise to discourage community help.
“I think that we can do both. If you ask a Tongan or Samoan or Pacific person, they support the idea of having both,” he said.
Indian Newslink has published the above Report and Picture under a Special Agreement with www.rnz.co.nz
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Photo Caption:
Caroline Pili Tufunga-Paepae from Otahuhu-Mangere Youth Group. (RNZ Picture by Eva Corlett)
