Government received $7.4 million in assistance -– $4.1 million in cash and approximately $3.3 million in kind for TC Harold assistance, Defence Minister Inia Seruiratu said. However, he told Parliament “not all of this money” was given directly to Government.
“Allow me touch on the aid co-ordination that guaranteed assistance to our people,” he said.
“The governments of Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, France, China, Japan, together with international organisations, UN agencies, local businesses, civil society organisations and non-government organisations have all assisted in cash and in kind to Government emergency response efforts,” he said.
He mentioned that some assistance was with international agencies, awaiting government requests in areas of food security, shelter, wash kits and hygiene.
“These co-ordination meetings were held weekly at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a government team comprising NDMO, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Economy and the Office of the Prime Minister co-ordinated donor relations from the NDMO Office.
“This co-ordinated engagement with donors on the humanitarian situation and response requirements, as well as Government priorities and assistance needs, has resulted in a number of successful international funding support, such as the: n Successful Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) funding request of $US1 million ($F2.22m); n Successful Asian Development Bank (ADB) funding request of $US400,000 ($F889300); and n Local Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and non-government organisations (NGOs) have, again, proven to be a valuable partner to Government in responding to the needs of affected communities in the form of relief supplies as well as counselling.”
