Australia has announced a significant increase in its development funding for Fiji.
Director General AusAid Peter Baxter said that from next month Australia's aid to Fiji will be $65.6 million which was previously $33.7 million.
He said that this funding will help Fiji's most vulnerable community.
Australia will support the Ministry of Health to strengthen primary health services in order to increase childhood immunization and ensure it stays above 90 percent.
Baxter said that they are also working with the Education Ministry to increase the number of students attending and staying in schools.
In the next five years AusAid will help the Education Ministry with books, stationary, infrastructure and fee grants for 70,000 children.
Baxter said that Australia which is Fiji's largest bilateral donor will provide Fiji with an estimated $100 million in official development assistance in 2012-2013.
Story by: Sneh Chaudhry and Khusboo Singh
