Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

France sends military to Wallis after Evan

Posted at 05:42 on 19 December, 2012 UTC

The French authorities have chartered a jet of the airline Aircalin to fly military personnel and relief supplies from New Caledonia to cyclone-ravaged Wallis.

The High Commission in Noumea says the plane will leave tomorrow afternoon with 33 members of the armed forces, four firefighters and three technicians.

The aircraft will deliver equipment, including chainsaws, to help restore the infrastructure and the homes damaged in last weekend’s storm.

The French overseas territories minister, Victorin Lurel, has been on Wallis since earlier today to oversee operations and is due to retum tomorrow.