Abu Dhabi (The Palestine Telegraph Newspaper) 22 January
2026 – The United Arab Emirates expressed solidarity with New Zealand following
devastating floods and landslides. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al
Nahyan conveyed condolences to New Zealand Governor-General Cindy Kiro. The
message highlighted shared grief over lives lost and damage caused by extreme
weather events.
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan sent a message
of condolences to New Zealand Governor-General Cindy Kiro regarding the victims
of recent floods and landslides. The correspondence affirmed the UAE's
solidarity with New Zealand during this challenging period. The disasters
struck the South Island, causing multiple fatalities and widespread
destruction.
The floods began on 18 January 2026, triggered by record
rainfall exceeding 500 mm in 48 hours across Fiordland and West Coast regions.
Landslides buried communities under mud and debris, with rescue operations
ongoing as of 22 January. New Zealand authorities reported 23 confirmed deaths,
with 17 individuals still missing.
UAE Official Message Contents
Sheikh Mohamed's message, released by the UAE Ministry of
Presidential Affairs, stated:
"We extend our deepest condolences to Your Excellency, the government, and people of New Zealand for the lives lost."
It continued,
"The UAE stands in solidarity with New Zealand during this difficult time."
The communication also wished a speedy recovery for the injured
and displaced.
Governor-General Kiro's office acknowledged receipt,
expressing appreciation for the gesture. UAE Ambassador to New Zealand Hamad Al
Kaabi delivered the message personally in Wellington. Copies distributed to New
Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters.
The UAE Foreign Ministry published the full text on its
website, emphasising humanitarian principles guiding the response. Similar
messages sent to affected families via diplomatic channels.
Details of New Zealand Disasters
Credit: Reuters
Heavy rains commenced on 17 January, swelling rivers and triggering landslides in Queenstown-Lakes District. State Highway 6 closed after bridges collapsed under floodwaters. Civil Defence reported 12 deaths in Westland from a single landslide burying homes in Franz Josef.
Southland region saw 400 evacuations as Clutha River burst
banks. Power outages affected 45,000 households, with restoration efforts
prioritising hospitals. MetService recorded wind gusts up to 180 km/h
exacerbating damage.
Queenstown Airport suspended flights for 36 hours, resuming
limited operations on 20 January. Insurance Council estimated claims exceeding
NZ$2 billion. National emergency declared on 19 January, mobilising 5,000
personnel.
Casualty Figures and Rescue Efforts
New Zealand Police confirmed 23 fatalities as of 22 January,
comprising 14 adults and nine children. West Coast accounted for 15 deaths,
Southland eight. Search and rescue teams recovered bodies from debris fields
using sniffer dogs and drones.
Missing persons list included eight from a Greymouth motel
landslide and nine hikers in Fiordland National Park. Helicopters airlifted 120
injured to Christchurch Hospital. Red Cross established shelters housing 3,200
evacuees.
Prime Minister Luxon addressed the nation on 21 January, stating:
"This is one of our worst natural disasters in decades."
Military deployed HMNZS Te Kaha for supply runs along isolated coasts.
UAE Humanitarian Response Mechanisms
Credit: thenationalnews.com/
UAE International Cooperation Minister Reem Al Hashimy announced readiness to provide aid. Emirates Red Crescent dispatched assessment team to Wellington on 21 January. Initial consignment of 50 tonnes of relief supplies airlifted via Etihad Cargo.
Past UAE aid to New Zealand included NZ$10 million for 2023
cyclone recovery. Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2024 facilitates
disaster response collaboration. Al Hashimy scheduled virtual meeting with New
Zealand Civil Defence Minister Kris Faafoi.
UAE field hospital teams on standby, mirroring deployments
to Turkey 2023 earthquake. Logistics coordinated through New Zealand Ministry
of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
New Zealand Government Actions
Emergency powers granted under Civil Defence Act allowed
resource requisitioning. Fonterra diverted dairy supplies to shelters. Auckland
Airport processed aid flights from Australia and UAE.
Insurance payouts prioritised for 12,000 affected
households. Government allocated NZ$500 million immediate relief fund.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged AUD$25 million assistance.
International aid pledges totalled NZ$150 million by 22
January. UK dispatched RAF Chinook helicopters for heavy lift operations.
Regional Impact Assessment
West Coast infrastructure suffered NZ$1.2 billion damage,
per Engineering New Zealand estimates. Haast River bridge reconstruction quoted
at NZ$80 million. Rail lines disrupted between Otira and Arthur's Pass.
Tourism sector losses projected at NZ$300 million, with
Milford Sound access closed indefinitely. 15,000 visitors evacuated from
Queenstown hotels. Cruise ships diverted to Timaru.
Agriculture reported 20,000 livestock deaths in Southland
floods. Dairy farms submerged, delaying calving season. Federated Farmers
requested feed airdrops for stranded herds.
Historical Context of New Zealand Weather Events
2026 floods rank among worst since 1978 Clutha River flood
killing four. 2011 Christchurch earthquakes caused 185 deaths; 2023 Cyclone
Gabrielle killed 11. Climate trends show rainfall intensity up 20 per cent
since 1990, per NIWA data.
Fiordland precipitation records broken thrice in 48 hours.
El Niño weakening contributed to moisture-laden fronts. Insurance penetration
at 95 per cent mitigates long-term recovery costs.
Diplomatic Exchanges Following Disaster
Credit: economymiddleeast.com
New Zealand envoys expressed thanks to UAE leadership during calls. Similar condolences received from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Japan. UAE state news agency WAM covered rescue footage extensively.
Governor-General Kiro hosted diplomatic reception
acknowledging support. UAE message read aloud during parliamentary session on
21 January. Bilateral trade talks proceeded virtually despite disruptions.
Recovery Coordination Efforts
New Zealand Reconstruction Authority activated, mirroring
2011 model. Public-private partnerships targeted infrastructure rebuild within
18 months. World Bank offered technical assistance package.
UAE business council
proposed investment in resilient housing projects. Dubai Cares pledged NZ$5
million educational support for affected schools. Emirates airline operated
relief flights at cost.
Volunteers numbered 25,000 by 22 January, coordinated via
Apps like VolunteerNZ. Community barbecues distributed 100,000 meals daily.
International Solidarity Statements
US President Donald Trump tweeted condolences, offering FEMA
expertise. China extended technical team for hydrological modelling. India
dispatched NDRF specialists experienced in Uttarakhand landslides.
European Union activated Civil Protection Mechanism, routing
aid through Italy hub. Pacific Islands Forum declared regional solidarity day
on 23 January.
Long-Term Resilience Measures
New Zealand government commissioned independent flood
review. Proposed national adaptation strategy targets 2050 sea level
projections. UAE Green Agenda 2030 aligned with resilience sharing initiatives.
Insurance levy increases approved to fund mandatory elevations. Early warning systems upgraded with UAE satellite data integration. Community resilience grants allocated NZ$100 million.