International Response To The 2005 Kashmir Earthquake - Oceania

Oceania

• Australia - Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Bruce Billson offered condolences and said that Australia was donating A$500,000 (PKR23 million) for medical and relief assistance to help provide medical help and shelter to affected communities. Since then, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has said the Government has increased its total aid pledge to A$5.5 million (PKR250 million). As of the 11 October 2005, this has been extended by A$4.5 million (PKR 204 million), bringing its total contribution to A$10 million (PKR 453 million) In a Ministerial Press Release Defence on November 9, Defence Minister Robert Hill announced an ADF deployment of about 140 personnel; comprising a command element, an aviation detachment of four Blackhawk helicopters, and logistics and communication personnel. They are to be based in Dhanni 20 km north-east of Muzaffarabad, where a central medical facility will be established to support efforts in the region. The deployment will last three months with an estimated cost of A$20 million.

• New Zealand - Caretaker Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Marian Hobbs said the government aid agency NZAID would make an initial contribution of NZD 750,000 (PKR 31 million) to the international relief effort. As of the 14 October 2005, this has been extended by NZD 750,000 (PKR 31 million), bringing its total contribution to NZD 1.5 million (PKR 62 million)