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Co-funded by NZAID a new US$2 million public service administration building for Niue was opened this month. With room for up to 90 of the 450 public servants employed by the Niuean government, the main departments housed in the new building will be treasury, administration, community affairs, economic affairs and information services.
It has been built at Fonuakula, about 1 kilometre inland from the main village of Alofi, where it is hoped that the distance from the coast will protect it from cyclones. Designed by New Zealand architects, the building has been constructed with local labour by a Samoa based company, which has also erected a new workshop for the public works machinery. For more information contact jonathan.rowe@mfat.govt.nz
At the beginning of November the third Asia-Pacific Conference on Military Assistance to Disaster Relief Operations (APC MADRO) was held in Canberra, Australia.
Sponsored by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the conference was set up after the 2004 Asian tsunami as a way of creating greater cooperation and understanding between military and disaster management professionals at all levels. Its processes and proposed guidelines are designed to support national and regional efforts to strengthen disaster response capabilities, given the vulnerability of the Asia-Pacific region to disaster events. It recognises that military forces will likely feature as a central and early contribution by nations supporting relief operations in the wake of significant, short-onset, disaster events.
The main aim of the conference was to analyse and develop a draft of the guidelines for the “Facilitation of Foreign Military Assistance to Disaster Relief Operations in the Asia-Pacific Region” for national comment, amendment and presentation at the APC MADRO 2009. The aim will then be to gain regional and national endorsement of the guidelines by 2010. For more information contact tiffany.babbington@nzaid.govt.nz
At the end of November, NZAID launched the Fiji Civil Society Sector Strengthening Programme, which is designed to support, strengthen and develop Fijian civil society organisations. Attended by representatives from 50 such organisations, the launch included presentations explaining NZAID’s approach to working with NGOs and the process for seeking funding and support.
One of the key areas of focus of the five-year Fiji-NZAID Country Strategy (2005 – 2010) is to support work of civil society organisations and communities to reduce the vulnerability to poverty of people experiencing high levels of hardship in Fiji. For more information contact faga.semesi@nzaid.govt.nz
Representatives of governments, business and civil society met at the end of November in Doha, Qatar, at a United Nations conference focusing on ensuring sufficient financing to meet key development goals. Discussions focused on concerns about the impact of the current global economic slowdown on poor nations, and the best way to respond to it.
2009 is expected to be a difficult year for the world economy, and the consequences of this for development are serious. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has stressed the need to act to prevent the current financial crisis from becoming a human crisis. “My chief concern will be to ensure that the interest in well-being of the most vulnerable nations of the world will be fully heard,” he said at a recent news conference. “We cannot allow the financial crisis to become an excuse for not delivering on our commitments to the Millennium Development Goals.” For more information contact vicki.plater@nzaid.govt.nz
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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.
 - Governor Sarabi at the opening of the Afghanistan eco-tourism project
NZAID and the Aga Khan Foundation have once again partnered together, supporting the Provincial Government to develop an eco-tourism industry in Bamyan province, Afghanistan.
Bamyan province once served as an important transit point along the Silk Route, which linked the markets of Europe and those in China, India, Central Asia and the Middle East. The region’s rich Zoroastrian and Buddhist cultural history and stunning landscape is well-placed to provide a source of income for local communities and honour Bamyan’s World Heritage Status.
The Bamyan Buddhas and the nearby Band-e-amir lakes have long been seen as the ‘jewels in the crown’ of Afghan tourism, drawing visitors and pilgrims for centuries. As a place of relative calm amid the country’s deteriorating security situation, both local people and expatriate workers continue to visit the region for its striking environment.
With an eye towards future stability, the Provincial Government has developed a strategy to reopen Bamyan to international tourists, creating livelihoods for the local population while preserving its cultural and natural heritage. Establishment of a multi-stakeholder Bamyan Eco-Tourism Association will ensure responsibility for tourism is in the hands of the government and local people. NZAID is contributing NZ$2.4 million over three years.
NZAID DPM Suzanne Loughlin attended the inauguration of the Bamyan Eco-tourism Office during her recent monitoring trip to Bamyan province. She says, “The World Heritage Convention, which affords protection to far distant areas, recognizes that some places on earth are so important that their enjoyment and protection is an international responsibility. Bamyan is one of these places.”
Support for the eco-tourism programme complements other NZAID-funded initiatives by creating new income generation opportunities and demand for local products and services. While security is a pre-requisite for strong tourism industry, working to such a vision can also build commitment to peace.
NZAID provides support in Bamyan province through a NZ$16 million development programme focusing on sustainable rural livelihoods, health and education, human rights and women’s empowerment. NZAID also supports New Zealand Police’s training and mentoring programme and the NZ PRT in Bamyan. For more information contact suzanne.loughlin@nzaid.govt.nz
Following High Level Consultations with the Solomon Islands Government, Peter Adams, Executive Director of NZAID, announced funding for new accommodation for 34 police families from the Solomon Islands Police Force (SIPF). There are currently 34 families living in poor conditions in the dilapidated Rove police barracks in Honiara. Funding from NZAID will provide new accommodation for the 34 police officers and their families in Honiara and the provinces, with those in Rove being relocated to better quality housing. The project will be managed through the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI), which has done a lot of work in stablising law and order in the Solomon Islands. New Zealand's contribution to police housing will improve the SIPF's ability to post officers to the provinces, while simultaneously addressing the basic needs of those currently living at Rove. The lack of adequate police housing is a major impediment to improving the effectiveness and reach of the SIPF. For more information contact guy.redding@nzaid.govt.nz
New Zealand is contributing $1 million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to support international humanitarian efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where renewed fighting in recent months has forced an estimated 250,000 to leave their homes. A further 800,000 people had already been displaced by previous violence.
UNHCR is leading the protection cluster and camp co-ordination and management, and is working closely with all humanitarian partners. It is also responding in neighbouring countries where Congolese have fled - particularly Uganda where more than 10,500 Congolese have sought refuge.
New Zealand is also providing $1 million in assistance to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) for its work in Nepal and Sri Lanka.
The $500,000 contribution to WFP's Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation (PRRO) in Nepal will help provide basic food to vulnerable families affected by conflict and recurrent natural disasters. The PRRO aims to safeguard lives and livelihoods and contribute to peace and stability in Nepal by contributing to rehabilitation efforts and restoration of self reliance among food-insecure, conflict-affected populations.
While insecurity, displacement, isolation and commodity constraints continue to generate significant humanitarian needs in the conflict affected areas of Sri Lanka, the impact of the global food crises is becoming increasingly evident across the country. New Zealand’s $500,000 contribution will assist WFP’s work to provide food to Sri Lanka’s most vulnerable households. For more information contact sue.lancaster@nzaid.govt.nz
 - Dr Nguyen Thi Thanh Binh gives awards to John Egan, Ian Howie and UNFPA staff, Mrs Van and Mr Dat
The Vietnamese province of Binh Dinh celebrated five years of support to maternal and child health on 24 November. Representatives from the New Zealand Embassy, UNFPA and government Ministries joined provincial partners at a final review meeting in Quy Nhon city.
Dr Nguyen Thi Thanh Binh, Vice Chair of the Binh Dinh People's Committee, highlighted the reduction in infant mortality and child mortality as key achievements over the five years. "Awareness and attitudes about maternal and child health have been changed at all levels," she said. "The project has enhanced the capacity of the local health system, expanding maternal, child and reproductive health services throughout the province, including the remote communities."
According to UNFPA Representative Ian Howie, improved health statistics show that the project successfully piloted a multisectoral model for clinic and community-based reproductive health facilities.
NZAID Manager, John Egan, agreed. He drew on a Maori proverb: He whiringa takitahi, ka hunahuna; he whiringa ngatahi, ka raranga, ka mau - if you plait one at a time, the ends will fragment; if you weave them together, it will hold. He compared the project to mat weaving.
"Just as a mat must be made from many strands, it has been important to have many organisations involved in implementation of this successful project," he said. "The person weaving the mat must be very skilled, and we've seen this in the leadership of the Project Management Board and the project office. Finally, quality materials are needed. The technical assistance, health management information system, equipment and training provided by the project have all been of high quality," he added.
At the conclusion of the workshop, the province awarded Bang Khen, the highest honour of the province, to UNFPA staff, members of the Project Management Board, leaders of participating organisations, project office staff and NZAID Manager, John Egan. For more information contact john.egan@nzaid.govt.nz
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