New Zealand and Australia commit nearly NZ$50 million to Pacific humanitarian warehouse project

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said the Pacific faces a variety of natural disasters.
photo: RNZ Pacific/Hilaire Bule

New Zealand and Australian governments to help build nearly NZ$50 million humanitarian relief warehouse in Pacific

The announcement was made on Friday by the two countries’ foreign ministers who were attending the Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Suva.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said the Pacific faces a wide range of natural disasters and other risks, including cyclones, earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, volcanoes and disease.

He said these disasters could create huge humanitarian needs.

“This initiative puts Pacific nations at the centre of the response,” he said.

“It will enable countries to access humanitarian relief supplies within 48 hours of a disaster to help meet immediate needs in emergencies.”

New Zealand and Australia will join other partners including the United States, France, Germany, Japan and the United Kingdom in investing NZ$47.5 million.

The plan is to build warehouses in 14 Pacific island nations and Timor-Leste.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the Pacific Humanitarian Warehousing Program was an excellent initiative led by the Pacific region.

“Australia and New Zealand are proud to support this project to ensure that when disaster strikes, local communities have easy access to support and supplies,” said Joshua Wong.

“This is a practical manifestation of how we can work together to address common challenges.”