SUVA, March 5 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand pledged on Monday a funding assistance of 9.5 million New Zealand dollars (about 6.8 million U.S. dollars) for Samoa to help the South Pacific Island state recover from the tropical cyclone Gita.

According to a statement by Samoa's Department of Press and Communications, this was announced on Monday by visiting New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern who arrived in Samoa on Sunday night for an one-day official visit.

Announcing the first funding assistance of 3 million New Zealand dollars (2.1 million U.S. dollars) to help Samoa get a speedy recovery from tropical cyclone at a joint press conference with Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, Ardern said that the impact of cyclone Gita had been felt across the region, including New Zealand, and her government was committed to helping communities at home and in the Pacific recover as quickly as possible.

Ardern said that the funding would be provided directly to the Samoan government to support the recovery and building of more resilient infrastructure.

The second funding component of 6.5 million New Zealand dollars (about 4.7 million U.S. dollars) is to support Samoan women and young people to set up business.

Ardern said that women and young people were strongly represented in the small and medium enterprise sector, so this funding would have a direct impact on their ability to establish sustainable businesses and help Samoa achieve sustained and inclusive economic growth.

The funding will be focusing on improving the performance of Samoa's private sector through direct support for micro, small, and medium enterprises.

Samoa is the first leg of Ardern's current Pacific Island states tour which will also take her to Tonga, Niue and the Cook Islands.