The Cook Islands government says it's willing to help pay for the evacuation of a Cook Islands family affected by the quake and tsunami in Japan.
Rena Jonassen had earlier told the Cook Islands News that his wife had been traumatised by the loss of family members in Sendai and was finding it difficult to cope with the idea of leaving Japan and her elderly parents.
For several days Mr Jonassen's brother had been lobbying the government to provide help.
An official in the deputy prime minister's office, Patrick Arioka, says if the family needs financial help the government will provide it.
Mr Arioka says the government's offer of help would also be extended to Paul Maoate and his family in Tokyo.
