Press Releases

Japan Provides Emergency Relief Assistance Items to the People of Fiji

Embargo: Sunday 18th January 2009, 18.45hrs

The Government of Japan has provided Emergency Relief Assistance Items, worth 10 million Japanese Yen which is approximately equivalent to 199 thousand Fiji Dollars to the flood victims of Fiji. The relief items arrived consecutively at Nadi Airport, in two separate flights at 18.45 hours on Sunday 18th and Monday 19th January 2009. The Counsellor, at the Embassy of Japan, Mr. Hiroyuki Orikasa handed over the items of the first arrival to the Commissioner Western, Mr Joeli Rokovada, at the Nadi Airport, in the evening of Sunday 18th January 2009. Mr. Rokovada received the items on behalf of the flood victims of Fiji. Also present at the handling over was the Resident Representative of JICA Fiji, Mr. Juichiro Sasaki.

The handing over on Sunday evening was the first of two provisions of the relief items to the Fiji Government by the Government of Japan in support of the flood victims of Fiji. The next provision is scheduled to be held again at Nadi Airport, at 18.45 hours. The Emergency Relief Assistance Items consist of water tanks, water containers, blankets and sleeping pads and the Government of Japan hopes that it will provide some comfort to the flood victims of Fiji.

The Government and the people of Japan have long shared a strong friendship with the Government and people of Fiji, and such friendship together with Japan’s compassion for the people of Fiji has resulted in the quick provision of the relief items to the flood victims.

The Government and people of Japan hope that with the strong determination and resilience of the people of Fiji, combined with the support of the State and the international community, Fiji will be able to make a quick recovery from the suffering and destruction caused by the flooding.