13 Apr 2004

Niue donors to look at more help after Cyclone Heta

3:40 pm on 13 April 2004

A donor meeting is expected to be held later this month to look at how Niue can be helped with the re-construction after Cyclone Heta hit the island in January.

Last month, the Niue government released a comprehensive Recovery Plan with a price tag of 25 million US dollars.

It covers the restoration of infrastructure, new and repaired public and private housing, and support to keep private businesses afloat.

New Zealand's Aid Minister Marion Hobbs has called the plan an excellent document, but is yet to indicate whether New Zealand, Niue's principal aid donor, will be providing additional funding on top of the nearly four million US dollars already granted.

Niue's Premier Young Vivian says getting the financial backing is the biggest hurdle they face.

"We are having a donor's meeting in a couple of week's time, and we will have a plan to show to the donors what are doing, and what we plan to do, and things required from donors."