25 March 2015

New Zealand USAR team to help in Vanuatu

New Zealand is to send 14 urban search and rescue personnel to Vanuatu to help with rebuilding efforts in the wake of Cyclone Pam.

Paul Baxter, Chief Executive & National Commander of the New Zealand Fire Service, which leads the country’s USAR capability, said the team would focus its efforts on the island of Epi, which lies to the north of the capital Port Villa.

They would operate from HMNZS Canterbury, which is in Vanuatu with nearly 12 tonnes of medical supplies and equipment for producing drinking water.

Ten team members would operate equipment to supply residents of Epi with 20,000 litres of water a day. The other four would provide logistical support to a New Zealand medical assistance team, which would be based on Epi and would provide a range of services to the island’s 5,000 residents.

The 14-strong team leaves on a commercial flight from Auckland this afternoon.

Mr Baxter said the two-week deployment was part of a wider package of assistance by New Zealand.

A USAR logistics expert flew to Vanuatu, along with a Ministry of Health official, immediately after the cyclone struck to assess the best way to provide help.

ends

© Scoop Media