19 Jan 2010

Earthquake aid update for Cabinet

9:20 pm on 19 January 2010

Cabinet will receive an update on Tuesday on the relief effort following the earthquake in Haiti. More financial aid or specialist assistance is possible.

New Zealand has already committed $1 million towards relief efforts there and has offered the use of specialist services to assist with the search for bodies.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully will update Cabinet on the situation in Haiti.

He says more aid could be given or specialist personnel could be sent to the area, depending what's asked for.

Mr McCully says the Government has not yet been asked to provide any additional support, but says its offer remains on the table. He says the Government is prepared to provide further financial assistance if that is appropriate.