New Zealand's Defence Force is providing logistics support as Samoa continues to battle against a deadly measles epidemic.
A Royal New Zealand Air Force Boeing 757 offloads medical stores in Samoa. Photo: NZDF
A Royal New Zealand Air Force Hercules took an oxygen generator, oxygen compressors, condensers and bottles to Samoa on Friday.
That was in response to an urgent request from New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT).
It then flew to Nadi in Fiji to pick up 50,000 measles and rubella vaccines provided by UNICEF for the Samoan government's vaccination programme.
A Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130 Hercules collects 50,000 measles and rubella vaccines in Nadi, Fiji. Photo: UNICEF/Infinity Images Fiji
Yesterday, an RNZAF Boeing 757 transported 2.7 tonnes of medical stores to Samoa, including hand sanitiser, chilly bins for vaccine transportation, vaccine fridges, power supplies for the fridges and 150 cartons of medical supplies.
The Defence Force was prepared to do everything it could to support the government's response to the epidemic, said New Zealand's Commander Joint Forces, Rear Admiral Jim Gilmour.
"We're working closely with MFAT to provide assistance through aircraft and manpower where it's needed," he said in a statement.
"We're glad we can do something to help our Pacific neighbours and our thoughts are with everyone affected."
Meanwhile, Samoa's government has expanded the ages of those eligible for measles vaccinations.
They're now available for people aged 6 months to 60 years old.
New Zealand and Australian medical teams have been helping for weeks, and the latest foreign staff to arrive are from Britain and French Polynesia.
A French team is also expected.
