New Zealand has dramatically increased its aid to Vanuatu in the wake of Cyclone Pam with an additional commitment of $US18 million dollars.
The Foreign Minister, Murray McCully, says just over 7 million dollars will be made available to help restore confidence in the tourism industry, which accounts for 20 percent of the Vanuatu economy and employs a quarter of the workforce.
The New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister, Murray McCully. Photo: RNZ
$US11 million will go towards infrastructure redevelopment, which will be focused on the waterfront and cruise ship precinct in Port Vila.
Mr McCully says the assistance will ensure that these vital facilities are able to cope with growing arrival numbers and are more resilient to future storms and extreme weather events.
The aid is in addition to the $US3.4 million dollars New Zealand granted soon after the cyclone hit in March, to help with humanitarian and early recovery work, and its other long standing projects under the New Zealand aid programme.
