THE United Nations flash appeal for Fiji will focus on the most urgent humanitarian needs of 350,000 people and that includes health, nutrition, shelter, water, sanitation and food security.
UN resident co-ordinator in the Pacific Osnat Lubrani said the flash appeal was in response to Fiji’s call for support from the international community.
“Fiji plays a prominent, highly respected role in the United Nations, including as key contributor to peace-keeping operations in the dangerous parts of the world, but also in leadership roles, including as head of the G-77 recently, on climate change, among others,” Ms Lubrani said.
“At this troubled time, the moment has come for the UN family and its partners, and for fellow UN member states, to reciprocate by showing solidarity and generosity in returning the trust and support to the Republic of Fiji and the Fijian people.”
She said Fiji’s first flash appeal was being put together under the leadership of the country’s National Disaster Management Office and government ministries.
“The flash appeal is being put together through the cluster system that is under the leadership of the NDMO, the cluster system is led by the government ministries, different government ministries with co-leads from the humanitarian community and so the funds will go through the different humanitarian agencies, but in a sense that partnership with the Government is integrated into that.”
“The flash appeals speaks about 90 days, so this is the time when it’s about getting the basic things they need.
“We need to get the children back to school, we need to get the health facilities up and running.
“There are evacuation centres that are too crowded, it raises risks of health issues, so they are very immediate humanitarian needs.”
