Tsunami Warning Systems Upgrade for Pacific Costs $3.5 m

AUCKLAND, New Zealand—The Pacific Islands will receive an improved $3.5 million tsuanmi warning system, giving the region more advanced technology to deter the natural disaster.

The new programme will focus have a regional focus concentrating on security and safety, early warning systems and educating the public.

Under the new agreement New Zealand Government will take control of the 3-year programme, while co-operating with non-governmental organisations, said NZPA.

The latest initiative will replace a Suva-based programme that was set up two years ago. A three year contract worth $500,000 a year for three years awarded to the Foundation for the Peoples of the South Pacific, was cancelled.

Labour M.P. Phil Twyford said in a press release yesterday that the Government's decision had come as a shock to the NGO that had been working with local government to assist villagers in four Pacific countries reduce the impact of disasters through preparedness training.

The effectiveness of the programme has not even been assessed when the New Zealand funding was cut.

"Mr McCully is taking an axe to NGO-based programmes that he doesn't like the look of. The cuts seem to be made on the Minister's whim, not on the basis of any evidence or assessment by officials,” said Mr Twyford.

But Mr McCully was reported as saying that the cancelled programme was 'piecemeal and ad hoc' and that tsunami preparedness needed to be carried in a more comprehensive way, according to NZPA

The Ministry of Civil Defense and Emergency will be heading the initiative and assisted by other government agencies.

Mr McCully is currently in the Pacific Islands discussing the changes with local governments.