SENATOR JOHN FAULKNER
Minister for Defence
THE HON STEPHEN SMITH MP
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Tuesday, 27 October 2009
042/2009
AUSTRALIAN ASSISTANCE TO SAMOA AND TONGA
The Minster for Foreign Affairs, Stephen Smith, and the Minister for Defence,
Senator John Faulkner, today announced further Australian support to Samoa
and Tonga following the tsunami that devastated both communities on 30
September.
The Royal Australian Navy’s heavy landing ship HMAS Tobruk will depart
Sydney today, loaded with a range of goods, equipment and relief aid
destined for the two countries.
“The Melbourne Metropolitan Fire Brigade has donated a fire truck to Samoa
to replace one destroyed during the tsunami,” Mr Smith said.
“A large consignment of heavy machinery and donated goods from the
Australian community – including the Samoan and Tongan communities in
Australia, non government organisations and several businesses – will also be
delivered to both Samoa and Tonga.”
“Tobruk will carry earth movers, generators, cement mixers and other heavy
machinery, provided by the Australian Government, to be used in Tonga to
clear debris and rebuild over the next 12-18 months.”
Total Australian assistance to Samoa and Tonga now stands at $13 million.
This includes $3 million for emergency relief and recovery activities ($2 million
to Samoa and $1 million to Tonga) announced in the days immediately
following the tsunami.
It also includes Australia’s contribution of $5 million of reconstruction
assistance for Samoa announced on 11 October with New Zealand Foreign
Minister, Murray McCully, and matched by New Zealand.
The further $5 million announced today will be provided to Samoa for
additional recovery and reconstruction activities, including:
–
$2.5 million to help re-establish infrastructure and ensure affected
communities have access to essential services such as power, water,
health and education. Australia will also provide support to help
businesses re-establish quickly, and improve disaster monitoring and
warning systems;
–
$1.5 million for recovery and relief operations, including $500,000 to
Australian Non Government Organisations; and
–
$1 million to assist the Government of Samoa’s own reconstruction
planning and coordination.
Senator Faulkner said, “HMAS Tobruk will enable access to the remote island
of Niuatoputapu in Tonga, where the delivery of the earthmoving equipment
will allow reconstruction efforts to begin earlier and at a faster pace than
would otherwise be possible.”
“This assistance mission will provide tangible support to the people of Samoa
and Tonga rebuilding their lives in the weeks after the tsunami,” Senator
Faulkner said.
“Along with the ongoing work in Padang, this mission by HMAS Tobruk is
another good example of how the ADF and AusAID continue to play an
important role in supporting our Pacific neighbours to respond to humanitarian
crises.”
Tobruk will make a port call to Townsville later this week to embark loading
craft to assist accessing the remote islands.
Media contacts:
Colin Campbell (John Faulkner):
02 6277 7800 or 0407 787 181
Courtney Hoogen (Stephen Smith):
0407 435 157
AusAID Public Affairs
0417 680 590
Defence Media Liaison:
02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
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