New Zealand will contribute $2.7 million to help limit dengue fever in Fiji, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.

“Dengue fever is a debilitating and sometimes fatal mosquito-borne disease which has affected more than 38,000 people in the Pacific since the beginning of 2017,” Mr Peters says.

“The funding will go to the World Mosquito Programme, which uses natural, effective and self-sustaining methods that limit the ability of mosquitoes to spread the illness. These methods are currently in use across four continents.

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters today announced the government has agreed to a long term approach to assist Pacific Island states in meeting the challenges of climate change.

“We cannot ignore the risks faced by our Pacific Island neighbours who are uniquely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change,” said Mr Peters.

“Cabinet has agreed to a long term strategy to assist the region. Development assistance will focus on practical projects for climate change adaption, mitigation, and ways to avert climate displacement of people.”

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has announced a further $500,000 package of support to the Government of Vanuatu as it plans to relocate affected communities to safe sites off Ambae Island following ongoing volcanic activity.

This brings the total New Zealand support to the response to $2.5 million since September last year.

“Two New Zealand Defence Force aircraft will fly from Auckland to Luganville carrying over 22 tonnes of relief supplies including mother and infant kits, family hygiene kits, jerry cans, shelter tool kits and tarpaulins,” said Mr Peters.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters announce closer cooperation between the United Kingdom and New Zealand in the Pacific Islands region, following a meeting in London.

During the meeting, which took place at the Churchill War Rooms, Mr Johnson and Mr Peters also exchanged views on a wide range of foreign policy issues of concern to both countries, including defence and security challenges and the importance of cooperation to preserve and advance the international rules-based system at a time when it is under stress.

As part of an ongoing effort to promote disability-inclusive humanitarian action in Pacific countries, this policy brief identifies priority actions for disaster readiness, response and recovery. It has been prepared through a collaborative approach and should be a key reference in the future, promoting coordination across all levels and stages of the humanitarian cycle in the Region.

Promoting inclusion in Pacific humanitarian action