The New Zealand government is offering an additional $2 million in assistance to Fiji in response to Cyclone Yasa.
A school wrecked by Cyclone Yasa on the island of Vanua Levu. Photo: Fiji Government
The cyclone resulted in four deaths and about 7000 people remain in evacuation centres around the country.
The new funding will go towards shelter, water sanitation and other urgent priorities. It brings the total amount donated by New Zealand to $2.5m.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta said the extra funding aimed to get support to the Fijian people where it was most needed.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
"New Zealand has already supplied $250,000 worth of essential items to assist households, including hygiene kits, immediate survival items and materials to construct basic shelter," she said.
"These were delivered by Fiji Airways overnight."
Mahuta said New Zealand extended its sympathies to the people of Fiji affected by the cyclone, and in particular to the whānau of the people who died.
How the $2 million will be spent
- $750,000 to the government of Fiji to meet urgent water and other priorities.
- $150,000 to enable the New Zealand High Commission in Suva to support the provision of essential relief such as emergency shelter, water and sanitation, and trauma counselling
- $750,000 for New Zealand non-government organisations to respond through their local partners for relief and early recovery assistance, including activities focused on the most vulnerable
- $100,000 to the International Federation of the Red Cross to support Fiji Red Cross in its relief activities