Hope, love and tears as New Zealanders mourn the dead and missing
Recent disasters in the Asia Pacific have left many people upset and grieving - not just in nations affected by the earthquakes, tsunami and typhoon, but also among our ethnic communities here in New Zealand.
As New Zealanders, we are all linked through our communities to the Philippines, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Samoan and Tongan tragedies and my heartfelt sympathies go out to all those who have lost family and friends as a result of these tragic natural disasters.
The devastation in countries in the Asia-Pacific region has had a huge impact on many New Zealanders as they await news about family and friends in affected countries.
My thoughts and condolences go out to the families and loved ones of those who have lost their lives, who are still missing and to those whose homes have been destroyed.
Like all New Zealanders I am shocked and saddened by the scenes of devastation, but I am certain that the resiliency of these affected communities will allow them to prevail.
Through officials at the Office of Ethnic Affairs, I have been in contact with Indonesian and Philippine community leaders to express my sympathies. Many of those affected by tragic events in these nations have been touched by the overwhelming support and kindness being shown by their fellow New Zealanders.
There is a saying: ‘One joy shatters a hundred grieves'. As we share the grief of those who have suffered loss, we can also be inspired by the strength of community shown in the recovery efforts underway.
The spirit of our ethnic communities and of New Zealand on the whole have seen churches and other community groups take up collections and prepare large shipments of goods and materials to be sent to assist in devastated areas.
The National-led Government is committed to ensuring that our Asia Pacific neighbours are looked after and that is why we have made an initial offering of $1 million in aid to go to the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia and Vietnam.
Of this, $600,000 is being sent to help during the aftermath of the earthquakes in Indonesia, and $400,000 is being provided to the Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia to recover from Typhoon Ketsana.
This money is on top of the money being sent to help Samoa and Tonga recovering from the devastation of the tsunami.
Also, New Zealand aid agencies, including Oxfam and the New Zealand Red Cross are collecting donations to be used in the recovery efforts and also to clean up and provide homes and shelter for survivors.
As a nation, New Zealand has a role to play in ensuring nations affected by the natural disasters are looked after and I am heartened by the level of support being shown from our communities here.
While we can't prevent natural disasters like tsunamis, earthquakes and typhoons from happening, we can all pitch in as part of the Asia Pacific community to ensure that the survivors are able to rebuild their lives.
Anyone wanting information about friends and family in Indonesia or the Philippines should call the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade on (04) 439 8000.
