62497 (2024). Ricardo Menéndez March to the Minister of Foreign Affairs

62497 (2024). Ricardo Menéndez March to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: What consular assistance, if any, has the New Zealand Government offered to people in Lebanon in response to the 2024 Israel-Lebanon conflict; if assistance has been provided, how many people have been assisted?

Rt Hon Winston Peters: I am advised that as at 3 October 2024, New Zealand consular officials were in daily contact with the 50 registered New Zealanders that remain in Lebanon and wish to receive consular updates or assistance. Most New Zealanders have chosen not to leave Lebanon at this stage. All New Zealanders who have sought the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s (MFAT) assistance to leave Lebanon, and who were able to do so, departed on flights on 3 October local time. Most (9) departed on a charter flight that MFAT was able to secure access to. MFAT has secured additional seats on another flight departing on 4 October. New Zealanders registered on SafeTravel have been alerted to this further opportunity. We have advised those New Zealanders that wish to remain in Lebanon to shelter in a safe place, follow the advice of local authorities, and register on SafeTravel if they haven’t already.