‘We will beat this’

Australia, NZ governments reaffirm support for Fiji’s COVID-19 fight

THE Australian and New Zealand governments have reaffirmed their commitment and support to the Fijian Government’s fight against COVID-19 through the supply of COVID-19 vaccines.

In a news conference in Suva yesterday after the arrival to Suva of the Australia and New Zealand Medical Assistance Team, NZ High Commissioner to Fiji Jonathan Curr said the NZ government’s assistance was not based on the amount of money spent but it was about support to real people and real problems.

“The medical emergency team symbolises the strength of relationships between Fiji and NZ and Australia,” he said.

“Symbolises the effectiveness of bilateral partnership that we have and also our commitment to work together to combat the current COVID-19 outbreak, it symbolises the hope and confidence that we have that together we will beat this.”

Mr Curr said the NZ government had been working alongside the Fijian Government with their partners on the ground and responded with medical and other equipment related to COVID-19.

He said the NZ government was also committed to providing COVID-19 vaccines for Fijians and they had also provided financial assistance to the Government during this pandemic period.

Australian High Commissioner to Fiji John Feakes echoed similar sentiments and said the two governments would provide enough COVID-19 vaccines by August to vaccinate every eligible Fijian.

“By Saturday, we would have delivered 450,000 vaccines,” he said.

“By this time next week, we would have delivered 550,000 vaccines.

“AstraZeneca vaccines are safe, they are effective and they prevent people from dying and getting infected.

“I have been fully vaccinated, my family had them and all of my staff had them. None of us have had any reaction.”

The medical emergency team symbolises the strength of relationships between Fiji and NZ and Australia – Jonathan Curr