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NewZAID updates you in brief on key issues and events on the NZAID agenda. Please click on the useful links included in this newsletter to explore issues in greater depth.
Following the April 2007 earthquake and tsunami that destroyed many homes in the Western and Choiseul provinces of the Solomon Islands, 15 paddle canoes have been supplied to households on the island of Simbo. As part of the Fisheries Livelihood Recovery Project, these canoes will replace those which were lost in the disaster.
Funded by NZAID, and implemented by Gizo-based NGOs, WorldFish and Village Technology Trust (VTT), the paddle canoe replacement project focuses on communities where the disaster has affected their ability to use local marine resources and aims to give them hope for the future of their fishing livelihoods.
Audrey Manu from NZAID, and herself from Western Province, says that “what I like about this project is that the canoes are made by people from Western Province to help other Solomon Islanders restore their livelihoods.”
Over the next few months more than 800 households across Western and Choiseul provinces, who lost their paddle canoes in the tsunami will benefit from this project. For more information contact audrey.manu@nzaid.govt.nz
NZAID and the World Health Organization are to work together on a three-year, $4.5 million regional programme. The aim is to strengthen nursing services in the Pacific as well as expanding continuing education opportunities for both nurses and other health professionals.
Nurses make up more than 50 percent of the national health workforce in most Pacific countries and play a key role in keeping people healthy through disease prevention activities, and by caring for mothers and babies.
Implemented by the World Health Organization, the projects will help to address the critical shortage of skilled healthcare workers in the region, which presents a serious threat to people’s health.
The joint initiative supports the objectives of NZAID’s health policy in the region and those of the World Health Organization’s Regional Strategy on Human Resources for Health.
“Health is a cornerstone of development, and has always been an important focus for New Zealand’s aid programme. This contribution reinforces our commitment to ensuring a healthy and prosperous future for the Pacific,” said Foreign Minister Winston Peters.
The contribution is part of NZAID’s $11.5 million Pacific Social Development programme. For more information contact megan.mccoy@nzaid.govt.nz
NZAID has signed a three-year, $4.1 million funding arrangement with the Pacific Island Association of Non-Government Organisations (PIANGO) which will support the implementation of PIANGO's strategic plan - Strengthening NGO Effectiveness through Good Governance and Partnership.
PIANGO is a regional network of NGOs and has 21 national member organisations throughout the Pacific known as national liaison units. Formed in 1991, it facilitates communication, provides a common voice at regional and international meetings, strengthens Pacific forums of social action, and improves the well-being of communities that the NGOs serve.
NZAID has had a long relationship with PIANGO and our funding ensures that its core mission of strengthening the NGO sector is achievable. For more information contact chris.day@nzaid.govt.nz
The Samoan Government has signed an Arrangement with NZAID, the World Bank, and AusAID. It commits these organisations to work together to support the Samoan Government’s efforts to improve the health of its people.
A programme of activities has been developed by the Samoan Government that aims to improve access to and use of effective, efficient and quality health services by Samoan people to improve their health. The three main areas it focuses on are health promotion and prevention; quality health care service delivery; and strengthening policy and regulatory oversight of the health system.
Funding will also cover non-infectious disease prevention, reproductive health, injury prevention and the prevention and management of infectious diseases such as sexually transmitted infections.
Pooling their funding, NZAID will contribute NZ$9 million, the World Bank will contribute US$3 million, and AusAID will contribute AU$14million towards the 5-year Programme.
The World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Population Fund (UNDP) and UNICEF are also expected to sign the Arrangement. For more information contact mike.seawright@nzaid.govt.nz
A arrangement formally establishing the Tonga Police Development Programme (TPDP) has been signed by the Governments of Tonga, New Zealand and Australia.
Following a joint assessment mission last year which identified areas for reform in the Tonga Police Force, the programme will focus on advisory support and training, while emphasising Tongan leadership and ownership to ensure that assistance meets the needs and priorities of Tonga.
The signing ceremony also provided the opportunity to announce Mr Chris Kelley’s nomination as the next Commander of the Tonga Police Force. Mr Kelley has over 30 years practical policing experience in New Zealand, and in his new role, one of his first tasks will be to establish a staff development programme within the TPDP that will ensure a pool of future leaders for senior police positions.
Tonga’s Minister of Police, Prisons and Fire Services Hon Siaosi 'Aho also took the opportunity to express his appreciation for the efforts of Deputy Commander Taniela Faletau who has served as Acting Commander since December 2006.
Funded by NZAID and AusAID, TPDP will be implemented with the support of the New Zealand Police and Australian Federal Police and will transform the Tongan Police Force into an effective community-oriented Police service.
"It is essential that the community is able to have trust and confidence in their police, and the tripartite development programme will help us in achieving that goal," said Mr ‘Aho. For more information contact kirsty.burnett@nzaid.govt.nz
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