650 families affected by TC Cody to be assisted with grocery packs through donations from New Zealand Churches

650 Fijian families affected by Tropical Cyclone Cody will be assisted with grocery ration packs through the donations of members of Streams Community Church and various Fijian Churches in Auckland.

They are working in collaboration with Sai Prema Foundation Fiji.

The effort led by Reverend Atu Lagi in Auckland was initially in response to the devastating effects of COVID upon the families in Fiji. However, the timing of the shipment of grocery items from New Zealand to Fiji has shifted the focus to assisting families who have been severely impacted by Cyclone Cody.

Rev Lagi says as a community of churches from Auckland in New Zealand, they are committed to praying for Fiji when they received news of the spike of COVID-19.

He says after the 4 months of the global prayer for Fiji, they made a commitment to put their faith into action and respond to the request to provide food boxes to assist families in need.

Rev Lagi says the Church is grateful to be part of this initiative and is happy to be teaming up with Sai Prema Foundation Fiji to serve the people of Fiji.

Sai Prema Foundation Director Sumeet Tappoo says the Foundation was very grateful to Reverend Atu Lagi and the community of churches from Auckland for their generosity.

150 families will be assisted through the National Disaster Management Office and the remaining 500 families will be assisted through the Foundation’s national distribution network and collaborative partners based across Fiji.

In receiving the food packs for 150 families, Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Inia Seruiratu says he was extremely grateful to the Community of Churches in Auckland and Sai Prema Foundation Fiji.

He says to receive assistance from the community of churches in New Zealand and Sai Prema Foundation Fiji at a time when our people need help is truly wonderful.

He adds the Ministry and the NDMO is extremely grateful for this gesture and he assures them that this donation will be of great help to the families who are in need” said Hon. Seruiratu.