Government has commended the work carried out by Fijian personnel that returned from Vanuatu after carrying out relief works there following the devastation caused by Tropical Cyclone Pam in March this year.
This week the Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Hon. Inia Seruiratu received the personnel that included the Republic of Fiji Military Forces engineers corps and a medical team including nurses and doctors. The Divisional Commissioner Western Manasa Tagicakibau led the Fijian team to Vanuatu and was also received by the Minister.
In welcoming them back to Fiji, Minister Seruiratu conveyed Fiji’s gratitude for their dedication and work in Vanuatu.
“I, on behalf of the Prime Minister and Government, thank you for all your hard work in Vanuatu. We also want to sincerely thank your families who have supported this noble work,” he said.
“We have received word from the Government of Vanuatu on your work and we are happy that you completed your mission.”
Mr Tagicakibau said he was proud to lead a team of professionals that provided relief work and support in Vanuatu.
“We are honoured to have been called on by the Government to assist our neighbours. Vanuatu is now in a better state than when we had initially arrived,” Tagicakibau said.
“Schools are now open and the local community were very happy to see Fiji, as a fellow Melanesian country, assisting in relief efforts there.”
Vanuatu has also made a request for Fiji’s assistance towards their National Disaster Management efforts.
“We were requested to brief the Prime Minister and was the only team to have had that honour. Our experiences in floods and cyclones in the past was very helpful and the Hon Prime Minister requested if we could further continue capacity building for their NDMO staff,” Tagicakibau said.
He added that he would submit his report of the mission and the request from the Vanuatu Government.
Press Release