Prime Minister Bainimarama Thanked PM Ardern for the Support Rendered to Fiji
14/05/2021
Commonwealth Pacific Leaders Affirm Commitment to Building Inclusive and Sustainable Economies
21/05/2021Published On: 15/05/2021
Fijian Prime Minister, Hon. Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama has conveyed his appreciation to Australian Prime Minister, Hon. Scott Morrison for Australia’s unprecedented commitment and support to Fiji’s response and recovery from COVID-19.
During a telephone conversation with his counterpart, Prime Minister Bainimarama conveyed his gratitude to Prime Minister Morrison for the tremendous support from Australia.
Australia had supported Fiji through direct budget support totaling AUD$35 million (approximately FJD55 million). Moreover, Fiji received 10,000 doses of Australian-manufactured AstraZeneca vaccine and Personal Protection Equipment (PPEs) from Australia last week and further 10,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine from Australia arrived into Nadi yesterday night.
Fiji has also received the third delivery of vaccine doses under the COVAX facility, which is supported by the Australian Government.
PM Morrison committed to providing 1 million vaccines and Australia will also provide the delivery timetable to Fiji in the next couple of weeks.
Prime Minister Bainimarama said this swift assistance from the Australian Government will strengthen Fiji’s vaccination rollout and enhance Fiji’s response to COVID-19.
Since March 2020, Australia has supported Fiji’s COVID-19 responses through direct budget support and procurement of PPE, lab equipment which equates to AUD$84.275 million. In addition, AUD$20 million was directed toward rehabilitation work following Tropical Cyclone Yasa and TC Ana.
This is separate from the assistance provided by the Australian Government through the deployment of the HMAS Adelaide to help rebuild infrastructure in affected communities.
PM Bainimarama said the assistance from Australia is testament of our strong and enduring bilateral relations and reaffirms the spirit of the Pacific Vuvale and everlasting bonds of friendship between Fiji and Australia.
