23 February 2004

New Zealand Red Cross to help Cooks recover from Cyclones

New Zealand Red Cross aid worker Douglas Clark flies to the Cook Islands tomorrow to provide assistance following three cyclones in rapid succession that have battered the Islands this month.

New Zealand Red Cross has also committed $10,000 to provide relief items and sent 100 tarpaulins to replenish supplies, which have been exhausted on the Islands in efforts to patch up damaged homes and buildings between cyclones.

The Cook Islands were hit first by Cyclone Meena earlier this month, then Cyclone Nancy and Cyclone Olaf last week.

Many homes have been damaged or destroyed and many more remain without power. Crops of bananas, mangoes and avocadoes have been devastated by the high winds and taro plantations on the coast have been flooded by salt water. The high winds also burnt and shredded the leaves of many inland taro patches, meaning they will not produce well.

Mr Clark, from Dunedin, will spend two weeks in the Cook Islands assisting local Red Cross staff to assess damage and re-equip themselves for future emergencies.

"The Islands have had to face three cyclones in a row and they are pretty exhausted and running out of energy and resources," Mr Clark says. "New Zealand Red Cross has recognised that they need some help after a devastating few weeks so has offered its support."

Cook Islands Red Cross Secretary General Niki Rattle says some of the families who were vulnerable before the cyclones due to low incomes or substandard housing will struggle to rebuild their lives.

"There are a lot of people who need assistance to get back on their feet, especially those who were already in a vulnerable situation before the cyclones," she says.

Cook Islands Red Cross has so far given out about 60 tarpaulins, about 30 lanterns, and distributed food parcels for more than 100 people. It has also distributed candles and blankets and will help families replace mattresses.

ENDS

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