15 Mar 2013

Samoa gets aid boost after Cyclone Evan

3:47 pm on 15 March 2013

Samoa is set to receive an aid boost after being hit by Cyclone Evan in December, with the New Zealand government and the World Bank announcing funding increases.

New Zealand has pledged a further three million US dollars to boost tourism, as a way to secure employment and help Samoa prepare for the UN Small Islands Developing States conference next year.

The World Bank is offering another 20 million US dollars from its Crisis Response Window.

The World Bank Country Director for the Pacific Islands, Franz Drees-Gross, says the funds will be used to rebuild transport infrastructure.

He says they will also help Samoa repair roads, sea walls, as well as assist those in the agriculture sector.

"As you know, about 30,000 people lost crops in the cyclone, mostly due to wind and salt water intrusion, so we'll basically be providing people, through the Samoan Government, with seeds and tools, also some new livestock basically to jumpstart some of their livelihoods"

The World Bank Country Director for the Pacific Islands Franz Drees-Gross.