Pacific / Fiji

EU prepares to give Fiji sugar industry aid boost

08:59 am on 2 March 2016

The European Union is expected to provide more aid to help Fiji's sugar industry recover from Cyclone Winston.

Up to 80 percent of the crop is reported to have been destroyed in the category 5 storm which hit Fiji ten days ago, killing 43 people.

The EU's representative in Fiji Andrew Jacobs told FBC News work is underway to get funding specifically for sugar in addition to the 4-point-6 million US dollars the EU t has already pledged for relief efforts.

Andrew Jacobs Photo: RNZI Sally Round

Roads and jetties being repaired as food aid arrives

The Fiji Roads Authority is working around the clock to repair roads and jetties around the country.

The Fiji Times reports the agency is focusing on roads in southern Ra, Taveuni, Ba and northern Tailevu.

Food rations have been delivered to villagers of Yacata island which suffered badly in the cyclone.

The villages told the Fiji Times the food, meant to last a month, arrived just as their stores were running out.

The Australian navy ship, the HMAS Canberra has arrived in Fiji and will be deployed to help the people of Koro Island which was also badly hit.

HMAS Canberra Photo: AFP

The ship is carrying a team of 880 including engineers, carpenters, electricians and plumbers.

Navy ships from New Zealand and Tonga are also helping in the aid effort.

Fiji's largest church, the Methodist Church, is making its churches, halls and other buildings available to the government for use as classrooms.