Niue Government and international community
use storm aftermath to bolster aid coordination
27 April, Wellington, New Zealand
- For the first time, aid agencies involved in the rebuilding of the
world's smallest island nation after Cyclone Heta's recent devastation,
will meet in New Zealand to discuss improved methods of co-ordinating and
managing their aid for Niue. The unprecedented donor meeting is an opportunity
to examine cyclone diaster as a longer-term planning opportunity.
Niue Premier Young Vivian says "this is an historic moment for our country which is at a crossroads in our journey as a sovereign nation. January's devastating Cyclone Heta has made our journey more difficult but we know that with the assistance of our external partners we will rebuild and renew Niue." Cyclone Heta was the worst cyclone in living memory to hit the tiny South Pacific island.
Joyce Yu, UNDP Resident Representative for Samoa, the Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau says "our agency seeks to serve as a catalyst to bring together the donor community and UN agencies to support the aspirations of the people of Niue. We are pleased to play a leading role in taking this new step forward."
Niue will have an opportunity for the first time to report comprehensively and transparently to the international community on its use of disaster funds, and to indicate the needs for the next phase of recovery," says Ms Yu.
The Niue Donor Roundtable is convened jointly by the UNDP and the governments of Niue and New Zealand. It will meet In Wellington on 28 April. All UN agencies active in the Pacific region will be present, along with bilateral representation in New Zealand, and the European Union.
Ms Yu adds the objective of the Niue Donor Roundtable is to assist Niue to better manage its development and ultimately, with the input of donors and regional organisations, determine effective national planning, policies and actions. The roundtable will see donors, such as NZAID, the New Zealand government's aid agency, detail their aid proposals and then co-ordinate with other donors to ensure aid money is used effectively.
"We are aware that a consensus on the long-term goals for Niue is essential to the effective use of emergency and recovery aid," Ms Yu says.
In addition, she says the effective co-ordination and management of overseas development assistance is essential to ensure public confidence in the use of public resources in the elimination of poverty and sustainable human development. UNDP has been a development partner in Niue for more than 30 years. From 2000 - 2002 it donated NZ$1million for sustainable human development and environmental management projects in Niue.
Contact
Leigh Pearson, Sue Wood and Associates
+64 4 472 4688
+64 4 274 890 606 (mobile)
Many countries are increasingly vulnerable to natural disasters that can erase decades of development and further entrench poverty and inequality. Through its global network, UNDP seeks out and shares innovative approaches to crisis prevention and early warning. And UNDP is on the ground in almost every developing country -- so wherever the next crisis occurs, we will be there to help bridge the gap between emergency relief and long-term development. UNDP is the UN's global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life.