Aid packages of food sent from New Zealand to Niue are being kept in shipping containers on the front lawn of the acting premier's home and not distributed to those worst affected by Cyclone Heta.
Canned food, flour and sugar are among goods sent on two RNZAF flights last week, with more aid from New Zealand and France expected this week.
Acting premier Toke Talagi said that, rather than distributing the aid packages immediately, loans would be made to those affected by the cyclone so they could buy food still available in some shops.
The decision has been criticised by many Niue islanders, including MP and former finance minister Terry Coe, who said debt was the last thing people in a disaster needed. However, Mr Talagi said: "Food is not a major issue. The issue at the moment is lack of cash because the computers at the bank are not working." The aid packages would be distributed when the government had worked out a fair way of distributing them, he said.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,2779704a11,00.html
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