Indian government provides relief assistance
THE Government of India has provided six tonnes of relief items to the Fijian Government to assist in rebuilding and rehabilitation in the aftermath of STC Yasa.
Minister for Defence, National Security and Policing, Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Inia Seruiratu said the assistance received from the acting Indian High Commissioner to Fiji, Sukanta Charan Sahoo, would be delivered to families affected in the Northern and Eastern divisions.
He said the key areas of focus were the restoration of essential services and delivery of assistance to communities to rebuild their lives. He said working with all the development partners and donor agencies was important in building back better.
Mr Sahoo said the assistance highlighted India’s commitment to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) support as a first responder.
“Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the relief supplies were put together in a short span of time by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) of India and were airlifted to Fiji with the help of Air India and Fiji Airways via Sydney, Australia,” he said. “This was possible, thanks to the effective co-operation among multiple agencies in three countries to deliver the relief materials to Fiji in record time.”
Mr Sahoo said India had firmly stood by Fiji during times of crises and devastation caused by natural disasters.