Australia will continue to assist Fiji in the rebuilding phase after Tropical Cyclone Winston.
The Australian government has already confirmed that through a $35 million AUD package of assistance, Australia is continuing its work with the Fijian Government to repair and rebuild schools, health facilities and damaged markets, and restore water and sanitation services.
The Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Concetta Fierravanti‑Wells will attend the formal commemoration service in Suva for Tropical Cyclone Winston victims today.
She says she will also visit the Centre for Pacific Crops and Trees which, through the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, is growing seedlings to help communities recover from Cyclone Winston.
Fierravanti‑Wells says the Centre for Pacific Crops and Trees plays a critical role for the Pacific in conserving and improving the genetic quality of key Pacific Crops.
She will announce the establishment of a permanent Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research office at the High Commission in Suva, along with funding for the Centre for Pacific Crops and Trees of up to $250,000 AUD to help strengthen its technical capacity and its long term viability.
The Australian Minister will also meet representatives of non‑government organisations in Fiji who were instrumental in the distribution of Australian assistance after the cyclone.
She says following the cyclone, Australia provided shelter, clean water, health care and temporary education facilities to over 200,000 people.
An Australian medical team also worked with Fijian doctors and nurses to treat over 1,700 people.
Australian Defence Force planes transported 520 tonnes of supplies and equipment to Fiji and the Australian Navy vessel, HMAS Canberra, was deployed to the islands of Koro and Taveuni to repair damaged infrastructure.
