Bilateral Relations » Japan's Economic Cooperation between Japan and the Republic of the Fiji Island » Past Assistance Projects to Fiji» Grant Aid for Disaster Relief » Speech
Address by the Ambassador of Japan, H. E. Mr. Yutaka Yoshizawa, at the Handing Over Ceremony of Japan's Emergency Relief Assitance for Victims of Hurricane Tomas
at the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) Warehouse in Walu Bay, on Wednesday, 31st March 2010
On behalf of the people and Government of Japan I convey our deepest sympathies to the people of Fiji, especially to those who have been severely affected by the destruction caused by Hurricane Tomas, and it is my honor to present Japan’s Emergency Relief Assistance Items to the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Provincial Development, Multi-Ethnic Affairs, National Disaster Management and Sugar, Mr Manasa Vaniqi, who receives the items on behalf of the victims of the natural disaster. The items consist of 500 Blankets and 100 Tents which are worth 10 million Japanese Yen, approximately equivalent to 190 Thousand Fiji Dollars (FJ$190, 000). Natural disasters are such a phenomenon that it can strike anywhere in the world, causing suffering, destruction and misery to people everywhere, and where no one can be blamed. Hurricane Tomas was such an example, which brought a lot of suffering to the people of Fiji. In many cases people lost belongings, properties got damaged, entire livelihoods have been lost and in some extremely tragic cases, people even lost their lives and we all know human lives are priceless.
The people and Government of Japan have shared a strong friendship with the people and Government of Fiji over the years, and such friendship combined with Japan’s humanitarian concern for the victims of Hurricane Tomas in Fiji has resulted in the provision of the Emergency Relief Assistance Items. Our hearts reach out to the victims of Hurricane Tomas and we pray that they May the people of Fiji continue to flourish and enjoy good health.
Vinaka Vakalevu. |
Good Morning.
In such circumstances, I urge the people of Fiji to keep faith and have hope. I am aware that the people of Fiji are resilient and have suffered the wrath of natural disasters in the past. Geared with the determination of the people of Fiji, supported by the State and further enhanced by the international community, donor agencies and development partners, I envisage hope, relief and a return to normalcy in the lives of the victims of Hurricane Tomas in Fiji.
Bilateral Relations » Japan's Economic Cooperation between Japan and the Republic of the Fiji Island » Past Assistance Projects to Fiji» Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP)