Australia has committed an additional $A4million ($F9m) to support Fiji’s response plan to the HIV/AIDS outbreak.
The announcement was made by Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong during a short visit to Fiji yesterday.
She said the funds were to support Fiji’s efforts to improve healthcare, especially its HIV response, and to rebuild and strengthen central services.
“I know this is an issue that the Government and people of Fiji have been dealing with,” she said.
“We want to work with you to prevent the spread of HIV, as well as to improve treatment and reduce harm to those living with the disease.”
Asked whether similar support would be provided to help Fiji combat the current drug scourge, Ms Wong said Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka had discussed the issue of drugs with her and Australia’s Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Matt Thistlethwaite yesterday.
“There are many fronts on which that problem has to be tackled. Obviously, there are health issues, but there’s also law enforcement and transnational crime.
“The AFP (Australian Federal Police) works closely with the Fijian authorities.
“These are issues we have to work on together and we’re committed to doing that.
“As Prime Minister (Sitiveni) Rabuka said, we are working in the spirit of Vuvale, as a family, to build a region where we each can decide our own destiny.”
