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http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/MYAI-7X8379?OpenDocument

 

Australian assistance to Samoa and Tonga 

Source: Government of Australia 

Date: 27 Oct 2009 

 
Senator the Hon John Faulkner 
Minister for Defence  

The Minster for Foreign Affairs, Stephen Smith, and the Minister for Defence, 
Senator John Faulkner, today announced further Australian support to Samoa and 
Tonga following the tsunami that devastated both communities on 30 September.  

The Royal Australian Navy's heavy landing ship HMAS Tobruk will depart Sydney 
today, loaded with a range of goods, equipment and relief aid destined for the two 
countries.  

"The Melbourne Metropolitan Fire Brigade has donated a fire truck to Samoa to 
replace one destroyed during the tsunami," Mr Smith said.  

"A large consignment of heavy machinery and donated goods from the Australian 
community – including the Samoan and Tongan communities in Australia, non 
government organisations and several businesses – will also be delivered to both 
Samoa and Tonga."  

"Tobruk will carry earth movers, generators, cement mixers and other heavy 
machinery, provided by the Australian Government, to be used in Tonga to clear 
debris and rebuild over the next 12-18 months."  

Total Australian assistance to Samoa and Tonga now stands at $13 million.  

This includes $3 million for emergency relief and recovery activities ($2 million to 
Samoa and $1 million to Tonga) announced in the days immediately following the 
tsunami.  

It also includes Australia's contribution of $5 million of reconstruction assistance for 
Samoa announced on 11 October with New Zealand Foreign Minister, Murray 
McCully, and matched by New Zealand.  

The further $5 million announced today will be provided to Samoa for additional 
recovery and reconstruction activities, including:  

- $2.5 million to help re-establish infrastructure and ensure affected communities have 
access to essential services such as power, water, health and education. Australia will 
also provide support to help businesses re-establish quickly, and improve disaster 
monitoring and warning systems;  

 

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- $1.5 million for recovery and relief operations, including $500,000 to Australian 
Non Government Organisations; and  

- $1 million to assist the Government of Samoa's own reconstruction planning and 
coordination.  

Senator Faulkner said, "HMAS Tobruk will enable access to the remote island of 
Niuatoputapu in Tonga, where the delivery of the earthmoving equipment will allow 
reconstruction efforts to begin earlier and at a faster pace than would otherwise be 
possible."  

"This assistance mission will provide tangible support to the people of Samoa and 
Tonga rebuilding their lives in the weeks after the tsunami," Senator Faulkner said.  

"Along with the ongoing work in Padang, this mission by HMAS Tobruk is another 
good example of how the ADF and AusAID continue to play an important role in 
supporting our Pacific neighbours to respond to humanitarian crises."  

Tobruk will make a port call to Townsville later this week to embark loading craft to 
assist accessing the remote islands.  

Media contacts:  

Colin Campbell (John Faulkner): 02 6277 7800 or 0407 787 181 
Courtney Hoogen (Stephen Smith): 0407 435 157 
AusAID Public Affairs: 0417 680 590 
Defence Media Liaison: 02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664