4. Question No. 4—Social Development and EmploymentANGIE WARREN-CLARK (Labour) to the Minister for Social Development and EmploymentQuestion No. 4—Social Development and Employment4. ANGIE WARREN-CLARK (Labour) to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What announcements has she made to support NGOs and those impacted by the floods and Cyclone Gabrielle? Hon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Social Development and Employment): Last week I announced an initial $11.5 million community support package to help NGOs in the community sector respond to the adverse weather events. The package consists of $4 million to providers to ensure they can meet increased demand and support wellbeing of their staff and volunteers due to flooding and cyclone $1 million to replenish stocks at food banks currently experiencing high demand $2 million of grants for community groups to support flood response $4 million expansion of the scope of community connectors to support Auckland's and impacted regions' flood response efforts and $500000 ring-fenced funding to respond to the needs of disabled people. As the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance have stated the Government's support for flood-affected communities will be ongoing and this initial package of support will help our NGOs get through the immediate response. Angie Warren-Clark: How much money has been allocated from the package thus far? Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) began communicating with NGOs and community organisations on the package last week and started taking applications on Friday. As of 9 a.m. on Tuesday 21 February $2.27 million had been committed to NGOs through this package. MSD are working hard to process applications as quickly as possible and I anticipate more money will be in the hands of NGOs and community organisations by the end of this week. The package has come as welcome relief to many and I ask any NGOs who need support to contact MSD to see if they qualify for support. I'd like to thank all of the NGOs and community volunteers who have stood up and served their communities so well in these very difficult times. Angie Warren-Clark: What support has been provided to individuals who need help following these weather events? Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: As a national state of emergency is in effect civil defence payments are available for people in the affected regions. The civil defence payments are not income- or asset-tested. They are for people who need immediate and essential support for items such as food clothing and bedding. So far there has been $36.599 million paid out to over 72000 people in need. Yesterday $3.7 million was paid out to 8067 people. This included $1.7 million paid out in support to people in Hawke's Bay and $585000 to people in Gisborne. Angie Warren-Clark: Why is this support to NGOs and individuals so important? Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: There are many NGOs and community organisations and iwi organisations who have sprung into action to serve their communities. I witnessed this firsthand in Auckland with organisations at the beginning of the weather events using their own resources and initiatives to support the community. This funding will help them replenish their resources and prepare them for the upcoming support that will be required by whānau affected by these events. Likewise the civil defence payments are able to help individuals and whānau with their immediate costs. Many have lost homes possessions and livelihoods and these payments are there to be accessed in their time of need. As the Minister of Finance has stated this is just the beginning of our response. As we move into recovery we will assess what other support may be needed.