MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
I am pleased to announce the Howard Government will provide $200,000 for emergency assistance to drought-stricken families in Fiji.
Australia's assistance will be used to purchase food, clothing and other urgently needed items for households seriously affected by the drought.
The Government of Fiji has indicated that approximately 28,000 households are in need of food and general assistance.
Despite recent rain in the Suva region, the drought in the main sugar-growing areas continues.
Our assistance will be directed to those who rely on the sugar industry for employment, such as cane-cutters. With little cane to harvest and little activity in the rural community generally, such people are unlikely to gain access to cash employment over the coming season.
It is estimated that as a result of the drought, 10 per cent of Fiji's sugar producers will harvest no cane at all this season and a further 30 per cent will have a substantially reduced harvest. Non-cane farmers are also facing heavy crop failure.
The drought assistance will be provided through AusAID, the Australian Government's aid agency.
Media contacts:
Judi Nixon (Mrs Sullivan's Office) (02) 6277 4381 /0411 287 258 Keith Scott (AusAID) (02) 6206 4971