Japan boosts TC Harold relief
Government yesterday received emergency relief supplies such as tents, water tanks and generators worth $72,295 from Japan.
Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and National Disaster Management Inia Seruiratu said Japan had proven to be a very good and reliable friend of Fiji.
“We are living in extraordinary times with the dark clouds of COVID-19 lowering over us and which requires us to co-operate and work together and the devastation upon us as the result of Tropical Cyclone Harold has stretched our resources,” he said at the National disaster management warehouse in Walu Bay.
“We are grateful for our supporting developing partners and the donor community. “I truly acknowledge the support provided by the Government of Japan and JICA throughout the years,” Mr Seruiratu said. Ambassador of Japan Masahiro Omura said this year had been challenging and difficult and he conveyed his deepest sympathies to Fijians for the devastation caused by TC Harold.
“It is our hope that these items will support the people and communities in getting back to some form of normalcy and complement the hard work that is carried out by the Government and support from other development partners,” Mr Omura said. Meanwhile, Government will be taking a loan of $45.7 million thanks to the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA).
This is part of the Stand-By Loan for Disaster Recovery and Rehabilitation under the organisation that was announced in February this year. The total loan amounts to $100million.
Fiji Resident Representative Yukari Ono yesterday said: “This is the loan for disaster contingent funds with very concessional terms and conditions.”
The loan has a 0.01 per cent interest rate and 40-year repayment period.