New Zealand to provide extra funds as recovery efforts in cyclone-hit areas continue

ANKARA (AA) - The New Zealand government on Tuesday announced additional funding for regions where recovery efforts are still underway following the recent Cyclone Gabrielle, which devastated the North Island.

According to

“The devastation caused by Cyclone Gabrielle is immense, and there’s no getting away from the fact that life on the ground in the affected areas is really tough," said Kieran McAnulty, the country's Minister for Emergency Management, in a statement posted on the official website.

McAnulty also announced a further contribution of NZ$1.7 million (approximately $1 million) to Mayoral Relief Funds to support communities impacted by the cyclone.

Last week, Cyclone Gabrielle caused widespread flooding and landslides, displacing hundreds of people in several regions on the North Island.

So far 11 people have died from the cyclone, including a child and two firefighters, while 2,246 people are still uncontactable, according to state-run Radio New Zealand (RNZ).

On Monday, the government extended the national state of emergency for another seven days.

Flooding and landslides also caused damage to local properties, roads, and other infrastructure in the affected areas, and Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has stated that recovery will take a long time.

"The Government is fully aware of the scale of the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle and that the rebuild will come with a multi-billion dollar price tag,” Chris Hipkins said in a separate statement on Tuesday.

“We are providing an initial $50 million support package for businesses, farmers, and growers, as well as injecting an extra $250 million to help Councils fix roads, get transport links back up and access into communities," he added.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid