US$200,000 is being provided by the United Nations Development Programme in Fiji to ensure the adequate quarantining and monitoring of returning Fijian citizens are effectively implemented.
This funding has been made possible through a new partnership between the UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji and the Fijian Government, through the Ministries of Economy and Health and Medical Services.
It will be used to keep returning citizens in isolation in designated hotels, supervised by authorized doctors and nurses and officials of the Republic of the Fiji Military Forces to monitor the health status or possible symptoms of COVID-19.
The funds will also be used to pay accommodation costs, meals for these repatriated citizens and meal allowances for the medical personnel.
The UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji Resident Representative, Levan Bouadze says defeating this pandemic is the ultimate aim and UNDP will look at ways to help countries to better prevent and manage such pandemics.
Bouadze says UNDP’s support will also help ensure that the responses of individual countries such as Fiji are comprehensive as well as equitable and inclusive so that no one is left behind and countries can continue to progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says Fiji's COVID-safe travel protocols allow them to welcome back returning citizens without jeopardizing the COVID-contained status they have worked diligently to achieve.
He says this is a global pandemic that demands stronger bridges of global cooperation to overcome, and they're grateful for the UNDP's support towards returning Fijian citizens home safely at no direct cost to them.
