More Australian Funded Relief Supplies Arrive

26 March 2010

A second round of Australian government funded emergency relief supplies has arrived in Suva to assist communities affected by the destruction of Cyclone Tomas.

The Acting Australian High Commissioner, Ms Sarah Roberts, says the supplies will be sent to needy communities in the Northern and Eastern Divisions.

“This latest shipment of emergency relief supplies includes 2000 blankets, 30 tents and 1056 tarpaulins. We hope the supplies will provide some assistance to those in need until repairs can be made to their homes,” Ms Roberts said.

“We are also working closely with the Fiji officials to identify other ways the Australian aid program can assist the victims of Cyclone Tomas. As Australians, we understand all too well the devastating impact of natural disasters and we’ll continue to provide assistance.” Ms Roberts said.

The latest supplies are in addition to the 960 tarpaulins, just over two-thousand 10-litre water containers and 680,000 water purification tablets which were flown in last week aboard the Australian Defence Force Hercules C-130 aircraft.

Earlier this week, Australia and New Zealand also made a joint contribution of FJ$500,000 to the Fiji Red Cross Society to help with relief and recovery work following Tropical Cyclone (TC) Tomas.

As announced earlier by Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Stephen Smith, Australia is providing up to $1 million in initial emergency humanitarian assistance to help the people of Fiji recover from the devastation and destruction caused by Tropical Cyclone Tomas.

This includes funding to the National Disaster Management Organisation, NDMO, to enable it to charter transport such as helicopters and boats to deliver much needed relief supplies to remote communities.


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