19 July 2006

New Zealand Child With First Evacuees

A New Zealand child and his mother have been evacuated from Lebanon on a British navy ship travelling to Cyprus.

British authorities have told the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade the young child is a New Zealand passport holder and is on the HMS Gloucester.

No other details about the pair can be released.

Around 90 New Zealanders have registered their details in Lebanon with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Some evacuations, mainly of priority cases, have occurred and British authorities have advised the Ministry further evacuations are about to get underway. New Zealand does not have diplomatic representation in Lebanon but both the British and Australian Governments have said they will include New Zealanders in their evacuation planning.

New Zealand’s Honorary Consul in Cyprus will be on hand there to assist any evacuated New Zealanders. He will be supported by Embassy staff from Rome and High Commission staff from London, who are travelling to Cyprus.

New Zealanders have been asked to keep their travel documents readily accessible, because they may get very little notice of an evacuation. They will be contacted by MFAT, or directly by officials in Beirut.

Any New Zealander who has been able to leave Lebanon is asked to contact the Ministry.

Information about the situation in Lebanon can be obtained on the Ministry’s website, www.safetravel.govt.nz, or by telephoning 04-4398000.

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