Minister for Disaster Management Sakiasi Ditoka confirms that he has spoken with his counterpart in Vanuatu, John Salong, earlier this week and had conveyed to him the offer of assistance by Fiji.
Ditoka highlighted to fijivillage News that Vanuatu has since then formally responded through their Suva mission, accepting Fiji’s offer.
He says he then sought Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s endorsement to begin the high level discussions with his counterparts and their ministry officials with Vanuatu’s.
The Minister says they also began discussions with the Australian and New Zealand governments to explore ways in which they could coordinate their response efforts.
He says the agencies to form the disaster relief team could potentially consist of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Disaster Risk Management Office, RFMF, FEMAT, Fiji Police and NFA.
Ditoka says an Advance Team of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NDRMO and RFMF Engineers is being organised that could possibly fly out by this weekend.
He adds their report will decide what the shape and size of the relief team will be.
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