New Medal for Asian Tsunami Relief Efforts
The NZ Special Service Medal (NZSSM Asian Tsunami) will be awarded to NZers involved in rescue, relief, rehabilitation efforts, and associated activities in the areas devastated by the earthquake and resulting tsunami on 26 December 2004. The new medal recognises the special service of those NZers who undertook often harrowing tasks in dangerous conditions. The new medal will also recognise work related to the location of missing NZers, the identification of victims, and a variety of other forms of service. NZers were involved in relief efforts in Banda Aceh (Indonesia), Phuket (Thailand), Galle (Sri Lanka), Male (The Maldives), and the Andaman Islands.
An initial 163 people, who had served in a devastated area in the first two months after the disaster, have been identified as eligible for the medal. They include personnel from the NZ Police, the NZ Defence Force, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and non-governmental organisations. Other NZers who meet the eligibility criteria will be awarded the NZSSM (Asian Tsunami) during 2006, once applications from organisations and individuals are received and approved by the NZ Defence Force, who will administer the medal.
Further details on the eligibility criteria, and an application form, will be available from the NZ Defence Force Medals website: http://medals.nzdf.mil.nz/news |
Contact for Enquiries
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Pastoral House
25 The Terrace
PO Box 2526, Wellington
Tel: +64 4 894 0100
Fax: +64 4 894 0720
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