MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Gallus
Australia has responded swiftly to an official request today from the
Government of Fiji for additional relief to help victims of Cyclone Ami.
The Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Chris Gallus said that
assessments on the ground have shown that the lack of clean water increases the
potential risk of serious outbreaks of diarrhoea, especially among children.
'Two cargo charter flights carrying 5000 collapsible water containers and
around 3000 tarpaulins are due to depart Australia for Fiji over the next two to
three days,' she said.
'These items are in short supply in Fiji and have been identified by the Fiji
Government as urgently required by remote communities affected by the
cyclone.
'Australia is also sending an extra 200,000 water purification tablets to
Fiji for distribution by the Fiji Red Cross.
'This is in addition to Australia's contribution of $40,000 to the Fiji Red
Cross Society appeal announced last week.'
Mrs Gallus said that AusAID also had an emergencies response officer in Fiji
to help co-ordinate the relief effort. The Australian chartered helicopter is
still being used to distribute relief and medical supplies to affected villages
inaccessible by road.
'Since the beginning of January, Australia has committed almost $1 million
towards cyclone relief efforts in the Solomon Islands and Fiji,' she said.
Mrs Gallus said these commitments would bring Australia's contribution to
Fiji, in response to the cyclone, to about $630,000.
Media contacts:
Craig Bildstien (Office of Mrs Gallus) 0407 604 437
Jo Elsom (AusAID) (02) 6206 4960 or 0412 804 489