NZ provides further assistance following Fiji floods

Acting New Zealand Head of Mission to Fiji, Phillip Taula, has today announced that New Zealand will make FJ$2.2 million available for disaster preparedness following the devastating floods which affected the whole of the Fiji Group, in particular the Western and Northern Divisions.

“The floods which hit Fiji in late January have left eleven people dead and resulted in more than 4,500 people being forced into evacuation centres. Exports and cash crops have also been very hard hit and the total cost of the damage cased is estimated to be FJ$30 million,” Mr Taula said.

“New Zealand’s funding will be used to support the National Disaster Management Office to better prepare communities for managing and responding to natural disasters.
Funding will also be made available for major upgrades of emergency evacuation centres in priority areas.

“This will help ensure that the Fiji National Disaster Management Office can respond to future emergencies.

“The support announced today comes on top of the FJ$500,000 relief package already provided by New Zealand.

“Our immediate assistance allowed the Fiji Red Cross, Rotary International New Zealand, and the Adventist Development and Relief Agency to meet the immediate needs of those most affected by the flooding,” Mr Taula said.