NZ government announces additional NZ$10 million support for Fiji

New Zealand is now providing additional support to Fiji to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak on vulnerable households.

The assistance includes up to NZ $5 million for the government to deliver COVID-19 operations, and NZ $5 million to local civil society organisations working directly with households to mitigate poverty risks, including through the provision of food rations.

New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta says recognising the increasingly challenging situation in Fiji, they will provide an additional package of assistance to support the government of Fiji and Fijians most affected by the current outbreak.

In addition, New Zealand is embedding two medical specialists into a Medical Assistance Team alongside Australian partners to support Fiji in its COVID-19 response.

A New Zealand anaesthetist will today travel with the six-person Australian team to Fiji on a Fiji Airways flight from Australia and spend seven days in managed isolation and quarantine in Fiji before beginning their 28 day assignment.

A New Zealand Defence Force public health/infectious disease specialist will also be deployed in the near future.

Mahuta says the team will work with the Fijian Ministry of Health to provide immediate support for health system management and infection prevention control. They will also assist with assessments of Fiji’s priority health needs responding to the current outbreak.