The government has confirmed that it has donated an extra $50,000 to help the victims of the White Island eruption.
Minister of Civil Defence Hon Peeni Henare confirmed that the contribution will be made to the Whakatāne District Council Mayoral Relief Fund to further assist with the immediate needs of the affected residents.
“Our focus since the eruption has been on supporting those affected by this tragic event,” Henare said. “There have also been flow on effects for the Whakatāne community, and in particular local iwi, who are shouldering the costs associated with undertaking cultural protocols, and caring for family and whanau of the deceased who have travelled to the region in the last week.”
He also acknowledged the work of the council, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa, as well as supporting agencies and the community, for their response – especially as the eruption disrupted many lives.
“Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa have demonstrated great leadership in supporting the Whakatāne community in response to this tragic event. Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa, side by side with the Whakatāne community, have come together to care for those affected by this terrible and tragic event,” he said. “The massive local effort during the response will continue through the long and complex recovery ahead, and Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa will play an important part in the recovery process.”
Meanwhile, the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) has also offered assurances that it will help those who were injured in the eruption – including covering all emergency and hospital care for injured international visitors and helping with the costs of getting the bodies of international visitors to their home country.
The insurer has issued a factsheet detailing help for those who were injured and for the families of the dead – including a non-taxable funeral grant of up to $6,311 towards funeral costs of each person killed in the eruption.
