I write in reference to an article titled “Fiji’s recent nightmare and what can be done about it” (February 2009 edition).
In the article, Dr Satish Chand states that Australia’s A$3 million in flood relief assistance was to be channelled through the Fiji Red Cross, and not through the Fiji Government agencies.
In fact, only A$150,000 of our assistance package is being given to the Fiji Red Cross to help it re-stock its emergency supplies which were used up as a result of the floods.
The bulk of our assistance is being channelled through various Fiji Government agencies. So far, this includes:
• A$646,000 through the Fiji Ministry of Education to support schools damaged by the floods with repairs, and assisting with payment of school levies;
• A$322,500 through the Fiji Ministry of Primary Industries to support clearing debris and conducting infrastructure repairs to farms damaged by floods; and
• A$314,000 to the Fiji NDMO to purchase food rations, fuel and hire of vehicles and helicopters to distribute food rations and other supplies to isolated villages.
Additionally, we have funded UNICEF, which is working through the Ministry of Health to minimise sanitation risks by providing water purification tablets, rehydration salts and antibiotics, and by conducting a health awareness campaign.
We will also provide funds through the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) for the provision of sweet potato cuttings, seedlings and planting materials for the replanting of crops damaged by the floods.

James Batley
Australian High Commissioner
Suva
FIJI