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Australia called on to give more vaccines to PNG, NZ delivers relief supplies to Timor-Leste, and more.
Disaster relief supplies and PPE have been delivered by Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130 Hercules to Dili, Timor-Leste
Photo: NZ Defence Force
Major shake up for New Zealand health system
The New Zealand government has announced a radical shake-up of its health system.
A new body will be formed to run services for the whole country replacing the 20 regional boards which service individual districts around the country.
There will also be a new Maori Health Authority.
The Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio said Pacific communities concerns will be woven into the new system.
ANISH CHAND
Picture: SUPPLIED.
The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has successfully completed two survey flights to Fiji and remains ready to respond to those affected by Tropical Cyclone Yasa.
NZDF Air Component Commander Air Commodore Shaun Sexton said that since Tuesday, 70 NZDF personnel have been planning NZDF support options and delivering the survey flights over the weekend.
“During what for many NZDF personnel was the first weekend of their Christmas holidays, many of our team have come off leave to support or prepare to support the wider New Zealand response to Fiji,” he said.
“Against a background of supporting the New Zealand public though OP PROTECT, it shows the NZDF is ready and able to support the needs of New Zealand and our Pacific whānau.”
Dec 21, 2020 12:15:20 PM The New Zealand Defense Force (NZDF) remains ready to provide further support to Fiji s response, including the provision of aid and further damage surveys, when and if required. NZDF Air Component Commander Commodore Shaun Sexton said that since Tuesday, 70 NZDF personnel have been planning support options and delivering the survey flights over the weekend. “During what for many NZDF personnel was the first weekend of their Christmas holidays, many of our team have come off leave to prepare and support the wider New Zealand response to Fiji,” he said. “Against a background of supporting the New Zealand public though OP PROTECT, it shows the NZDF is ready and able to support the needs of New Zealand and our Pacific whānau.”
RNZ
Devastation wrought by Cyclone Yasa on the island of Vanua Levu, Fiji. Picture: FIJIAN GOVERNMENT.
Authorities in Fiji have distributed 10,000 food packs to people affected by Cyclone Yasa, as the aid effort in the country’s north gets underway.
The cyclone tore across the northern island of Vanua Levu on Thursday night as a category five, destroying entire villages and leaving thousands homeless.
A journalist on Vanua Levu, Serafina Silaitoga, said government relief teams arrived on Sunday.
“We’re expecting about 50 military officers who will be in Vanua Levu to assist the government officials,” she said.
About 7,000 people remain in evacuation centres across the country, the government said. The death toll currently stands at four, although local media are carrying reports of several people still missing.