Pakistani community offers cash, clothing

THE Pakistani community in Fiji is not behind when it comes to assisting Fiji when natural disasters happen.

The group presented $5000 in cash and more than 500 kilograms of clothes to the Fijian Government to assist in relief and response efforts for Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasa.

Speaking during the handover, the representative of the Pakistani community in Fiji, Saud Minam, said it was always a pleasure to assist the Fijian Government, especially for worthy causes.

“From a community point of view, we don’t have any association and we’re not a registered authority but we are just people from a viable group and we communicate through the group for these sort of activities,” Mr Minam said.

Permanent secretary for the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, David Kolitagane, said the Government was grateful for such assistance.

“Be rest assured that this is going directly to the purchase of food, water and non-food items to be taken to affected communities,” he said. “Also HMAS Adelaide has loaded some materials for schools in the North. Our priority now is to mobilise these materials for the rebuilding of the damaged schools,” Mr Kolitagane said.

“This will surely boost our efforts in ensuring the most affected communities are assisted. Therefore, on behalf of the Honourable PM, the Honourable Minister and our fellow Fijians in the North, we want you to know how appreciative we are of receiving this gift from your community members.”

The cash contribution will go towards the Prime Minister’s Trust Fund for the purchase of more food rations for affected Fijians.