New Zealand response to Hurricane Katrina

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On April 30, 2005 NZST (August 29 UTC-6/-5) Prime Minister Helen Clark sent condolences by phone and in a letter with an offer of help to United States President George W. Bush and Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff also sent a message of sympathy to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. This offer included an official pledge by the New Zealand Government to the Red Cross of $2 million for aid and disaster relief.

After the New Zealand government's initial pledge of money, they offered further contributions to the recovery effort including Urban Search and Rescue Teams, a Disaster Victim Identification team and post disaster recovery personnel.[1] Those offers were gratefully received by the United States. A senior member of the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management, John Titmus went to Denton, Texas to lead an official UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team to assess the damage from Hurricane Katrina. The US Embassy in Wellington said it deeply appreciated the $2 million donation and gratefully acknowledged the offer of disaster management personnel. [2]

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[edit] New Zealand victims of Katrina

After Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana, 4 New Zealanders who were in New Orleans at the time were reported missing 9 days after the event. The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) sent details of them missing persons to authorities in the United States with some reportedly being sent to the Superdome.[3]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Scoop: Further NZ assistance in wake of Hurricane Katrina
  2. ^ Beehive - New Zealand sends condolences to United States
  3. ^ Four Kiwis missing in Katrina's wake - 07 Sep 2005 - Floods news - NZ Herald

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[edit] News Articles