In the face of adversity, the people of Fiji are rebuilding communities and schools so children can start the school year on time following the devastation of Tropical Cyclone Evan late last year.
Tropical Cyclone Evan hit Fiji on 17 December and caused more than $40 million in damage affecting thousands of people in Fiji in the Western and Northern Divisions.
Today, Australia has announced a further $2 million to help children get back to school in the first term of the school year, ensure access to health services and support the recovery of food crops damaged by the cyclone.
This financial assistance will help repair damaged buildings in up to 83 primary schools, replace textbooks and provide school grants to the neediest of schools, supporting 17,000 students, as well as repair hospitals in Labasa and Lautoka, which serves more than 470,000 people living in Fiji.
Not only will this assistance support schools and hospitals, this funding will help vulnerable communities replant crops for food security and rehabilitate commercial agriculture so farmers can begin to sell their produce at markets again.
Australia's financial support will help UNICEF and the Fiji Red Cross replenish emergency stocks, including water, sanitation and hygiene supplies and education materials, to ensure they can be ready to respond quickly to the next humanitarian event.
AusAID will work with the Fiji Institution of Engineers and other partners to help affected communities make their homes safer, and better able to withstand future natural disasters.
Australia has committed a further $2 million in financial assistance, in addition to the $1 million already committed on 18 December 2012, to assist in the response–bringing the total contribution by Australia to $3 million.
Australia's financial support has delivered many vital relief items including more than 1,900 tarpaulins, 6,600 blankets, 800,000 water purification tablets, more than 1,500 hygiene kits, 500 shelter kits, 1,600 water containers, and two water bladders.
All of these relief items and support are critical to helping the people of Fiji recover and rejuvenate the community.