Fiji's battle against Covid-19 has been boosted with a $12-million support package from New Zealand.
New Zealand's Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta said this would build on previous assistance Aotearoa has provided to Fiji.
The package will also support ongoing equipment and supply needs, including testing capacity, oxygen supply and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) stocks.
Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Mahuta said it will be directed towards urgent and essential operations costs, including funding for technical assistance, and support for monitoring of community isolation cases.
"Fiji remains in a very challenging position in their response to Covid-19 and our continued thoughts are with the Fijian people at this time," Mahuta said.
"New Zealand is committed to supporting our Pacific neighbours through these unprecedented times. We need to look beyond our own borders in the fight to eradicate Covid-19.
"This latest package of support will continue our efforts to assist the Government of Fiji and civil society partners to assist the most vulnerable communities impacted by Covid-19 over the next 12 months," said Mahuta.
New Zealand will also contribute $1 million to the International Red Cross Global Appeal for Covid-19 - tagged to support the Fiji Red Cross Society's National Response Plan which is focused on vaccine roll out, blood donations and training of volunteers for home-based care.
Mahuta said this latest announcement is in addition to the package of assistance announced for Fiji earlier this month, including delivery of 100,000 doses of vaccines and funding the recruitment of 190 Fiji graduate nurses to provide surge capacity across the health system.
"We continue to stay in contact with the Government of Fiji and civil society partners to respond to further requests of assistance," she said.