AUSTRALIA PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO FIJI RED CROSS SOCIETY
15 February 2008
Australia has committed AUD $50,000 to the Fiji Red Cross Society to replenish its emergency supplies following Tropical Cyclone Gene.
Australian High Commissioner, James Batley, described this as an initial response from Australia, following a briefing to the diplomatic community on the impact of Tropical Cyclone Gene, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier this week.
Mr Batley said that the High Commission would also be exploring options for further assistance in response to Tropical Cyclone Gene in discussions next week with the National Disaster Management Organisation and development partners.
Mr Batley said “our support to the Red Cross is in recognition of their invaluable role in helping communities during such disasters and it is essential that their supplies be ready for any future disasters”.
Mr Batley said that the Red Cross played a crucial role in giving immediate humanitarian assistance to those in need during natural disasters such as Tropical Cyclone Gene. “We understand that the Fiji Red Cross were one of the first teams on the ground after the cyclone and provided help to over 80 families that were in need”.
The funding will be used to replenish emergency stocks that the Red Cross has stored in pre-positioned containers in various locations around Fiji. Such relief items include tarpaulins, blankets, water collection containers, cooking sets and Black packs. The Black packs contain brand new items of clothing, toiletries, insect repellants and mini first aid kits and are invaluable to families adversely affected by cyclones and other natural disasters.
Mr Batley said that AusAID was in constant contact with the Fiji Red Cross Society during Tropical Cyclone Gene, and that “Australia will continue to work in close partnership with the Fiji Red Cross on ways to increase Fiji’s disaster preparedness and response”.
ENDS