The Government says it is continuing to explore all options for assisting New Zealanders stranded by conflict in the Middle East, with consular staff and NZDF aircraft to be deployed to the region.
Foreign Minister, Winston Peters said events in the Middle East were fast-moving, dangerous and complex.
“Our primary focus is on assisting New Zealanders in the region to the extent possible in this very challenging security environment,” Mr Peters says.
“With airspace closed and most commercial flights not operating, we continue to recommend that New Zealanders shelter in place – or take any safe and practical opportunities that are available to leave the region.”
Mr Peters said New Zealand was pre-deploying consular staff and two NZDF C-130J aircraft to the region to assist with any civilian evacuation operations.
“In preparing for the possibility of civilian evacuation operations, we are working closely with our consular partners. We are also in discussions with commercial airlines, including on the subject of charter options,” he said.
“We cannot be sure when and how any civilian evacuation operations might be possible, but we want to be ready if and when conditions on the ground make them possible.
Defence Minister, Judith Collins said NZDF and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) staff were playing a vital role in the situation, stepping up to assist New Zealanders in distress overseas.
“Decisions on precisely where the consular response team and two C-130Js will be deployed are still to be taken, though their location will be selected taking safety and other practical factors into account,” she said.
“There will also be limits, for reasons of operational security, to how much we can comment publicly on when and where the New Zealand Government personnel and aircraft will be deployed.”
All New Zealanders in the Middle East are urged to register on SafeTravel.
There are currently around 3000 New Zealanders registered with MFAT as living in the Middle East.
MFAT is running a 24/7 response operation to events in the Middle East, including via teams in the region.
New Zealanders needing urgent consular assistance should call the Ministry’s Emergency Consular Call Centre on +64 99 20 20 20.
