SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

$1m Australian aid to cyclone-hit Fiji

The federal government is sending up to $1 million in emergency assistance to Fiji after Cyclone Tomas left a trail of destruction across the island chain.

cyclone_tomas_100316_L_aap_659927511

2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP, SBS


Skip to article content

Fiji has declared a state of emergency after the category four cyclone hit on Tuesday, with lives lost and up to 17,000 people evacuated from their homes.

Australia will send a C130 Hercules - loaded with tarpaulins, water purification tablets and containers - as soon as the weather clears.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

The aircraft will be used for surveying damaged areas and carrying out medical evacuations. Australia is also setting aside a commercial flight for use if it is required.

It follows an official request for help from Fiji's interim government.

The $1 million in funding will be directed to Fiji's National Disaster Management Office to help pay for charter transport such as helicopters and boats which deliver relief support.

Coordinated response

The Fiji Red Cross will also get some money to assist in the distribution of emergency supplies.

"Last night I spoke to New Zealand Foreign Minister, Murray McCully, to discuss assistance to Fiji in the wake of the cyclone," Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said.

"Australia and New Zealand will work closely to coordinate our response.

"Australia will consider further assistance for reconstruction once damage has been more fully assessed."

Australians in Fiji are urged to register with the smarttraveller.gov.au website and to check their transport and accommodation details.

Travellers have been warned that flights in and out of Fiji - as well as transport within the country - may be affected by the disaster.


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world