The Fijian Government has conveyed its sincere gratitude to the members of the Fijian Diaspora in Canada for its continued humanitarian assistance to Fiji over the years, the latest being donations towards the Prime Minister’s Tropical Cyclone Yasa Relief Fund.
In thanking the Diaspora during a zoom meeting yesterday, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Prime Minister, Yogesh Karan said the tremendous assistance from the Fijian community in Canada has clearly exemplified their true Fijian spirit of showing love and care to those affected here at home.
“On behalf of the Prime Minister, I am honored to deliver his appreciation to the Fijian community in British Colombia and across Canada who have generously contributed to this effort,” Mr Karan said.
The Diaspora and its relevant networks, with the assistance of Ambassador Prasad and Fiji’s Honorary Consul in Vancouver Bobby Naicker, mobilised a team which volunteered during Christmas and New Year’s holidays to organise fundraising drives for the victims affected by the cyclone.
The Diaspora has just concluded its second fundraising drive with about $40,000 collected and ready to be transferred to the Prime Minister’s TC Yasa Relief Fund.
“On behalf of the Prime Minister, we thank Mr Naicker in Vancouver for responding to the call and mobilising the Fijian diaspora networks. We also convey our special thanks to Mr Kavin Chand of the Fiji-Canada Business Council and his colleagues at the Fiji Disaster Relief Society who also contributed to the Prime Minister’s Cyclone Relief Fund in the first week of January,” Mr Karan added.
“While you have been in your own lockdown at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, you all continued to organise fundraising drives to ensure funds are collected for those affected back home. These are extraordinary efforts at such a difficult time for you all in Canada and we thank you all for your support.”
The Permanent Secretary also commended the Radio Fiji Mirchi team, Shannon Permal of the Canadian Federation of Fiji Organizations, Aisha Bali of the Bula Masti Radio and Netani Gucake, the Fijian community leader for all their tireless efforts and sacrifice during this difficult period.
In response, Mr Naicker said such assistance “is a way of giving back to their homeland” and lending a helping hand to those affected.
Mr Naicker also reaffirmed their support and commitment towards rebuilding the lives of the cyclone victims in Fiji.
