Australian Funding for Typhoid Outbreak

27 May 2010

The Australian Government will provide over A$1 million in funding to assist Fiji deal with the current typhoid outbreak.

Speaking in Suva this afternoon the Counsellor for the Australian Aid Program in Fiji, Sarah Goulding confirmed that the additional Australian funding is already being used to support a joint effort with the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organisation and UNICEF.

This includes funds to purchase an additional 60,000 typhoid vaccines and syringes. 20,000 of these vaccines are already in-country and a further 40,000 vaccines will also be obtained.

The funds will also be used to purchase laboratory supplies for testing and new vehicles to assist in the transport of staff and supplies to affected areas.

The funding will allow for a typhoid water and sanitation campaign to be launched which will focus on safe water, personal hygiene and food preparation.

“Australia stands ready to assist Fiji to deal with the current typhoid outbreak. I am very confident that with the close and effective relationships we have with both the Ministry of Health and other donors that we can support a strong response to this outbreak,” Ms Goulding said.

**ENDS**