NZ to provide further aid to Sudan refugees

WELLINGTON, Apr 26, 2005 (Xinhua) — New Zealand would provide an additional 4.3 million NZ dollars (3.1 million US dollars) this year to assist displaced people in the Sudan.

Half a million Sudanese refugees, like these in Kakuma camp in Kenya, could go home under the new peace deal for South Sudan. (UNHCR).

Aid Minister Marian Hobbs, announcing the aid package Tuesday, said the aid will also help fighting against polio, malaria, TB and HIV/AIDS in Sudan.

Among the aid package, New Zealand will provide the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) with 1.5 million NZ dollars (1.1 million US dollars) of immediate funds that can be used to help in Southern Sudan.

Another 1.3 million NZ dollars (923,000 US dollars) will be contributed to the Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria to support the international fight against these illnesses and their impact in Sudan.

New Zealand will also provide 1.5 million NZ dollars to the joint UNICEF/WHO/Rotary Global Polio Eradication Initiative to support the strengthened push to eliminate polio. Polio has nearly been eradicated in the world, but a few pockets still exist in Sudan.

A representative from New Zealand international aid and development agency, NZaid, visited the Southern Sudan region in March and informed the Aid Ministry of the need for immediate funds to support the refugees and displaced people who are returning home, said Hobbs.