NZ pledges initial $100k

LATEST: The New Zealand Government has made $100,000 available for Fijian flood relief.

In a statement released this afternoon, Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully said the funding was being made available to the Fijian Red Cross, and further allocations would be made according to the needs of relief agencies working in the flood ravaged areas.

"New Zealand's assistance will help Fiji's Red Cross replenish emergency stocks such as water containers, tarpaulins and medical supplies," McCully said.

"This will help ensure they are able to continue to help people if further bad weather hits Fiji as forecast."

Earlier, NZAID - the New Zealand agency responsible for distributing foreign aid and disaster relief - said it had been talking with Fijian contacts about how to help respond to the flooding crisis.

Spokesman Adham Crichton said any aid assistance was likely to be directed through the Fiji Red Cross, and non-governmental organisations involved in the relief effort, and not the Fijian government. 

"The New Zealand government stands ready to provide emergency and disaster relief assistance should the need for external support arise," he said. There had been no requests from the Fijian government for New Zealand assistance.

Since the coup in 2006, New Zealand has had aid sanctions in place which prevent them working with the Fijian government in any developmental capacity.

The sanctions, in place until there is evidence Fiji will make a return to democratic governance, saw a reduction in New Zealand's aid to Fiji.

Mr Crichton said the Australian High Commission in Suva had spoken with the Fijian disaster management office on behalf of FRANZ - the disaster relief collaboration between New Zealand, Australia and Fiji.

Opportunities to help and advice on getting involved are available on the NZAID website.

Labour leader Phil Goff said today that the storms were the worst to hit Fiji for many years. He expressed his condolences to the Fijian people.

"While New Zealand currently has political difficulties with Fiji, such difficulties do not cross over into the humanitarian area."

- © Fairfax NZ News