Fiji New Delhi/UNI: Reflecting its close ties with the island nation in the South Pacific, India on Tuesday delivered six tonnes of relief materials for the cyclone-affected people in Fiji.
Second consignment of HADR aid is due to reach by January 6.
Fiji was hit by a Category 5 Tropical Cyclone Yasa on December 17-18, 2020, which caused extensive damage and destruction of critical infrastructure.
“The relief material sent by the government, consisting of shelter and hygiene kits, will provide immediate assistance to the cyclone-affected communities,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.
Despite challenges posed by the pandemic, the relief supplies were put together in a short span of time by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and were airlifted to Fiji with the help of Air India and Fiji Airways via Sydney, Australia.
“This was possible due to the effective cooperation among multiple agencies in three countries to deliver the relief material to Fiji in record time,” it said.
Reflecting our deep-rooted and friendly ties, India has firmly stood by Fiji during times of crisis and devastation caused by natural disasters like Tropical Cyclone Winston in 2016, the ministry said.
The relief material sent now in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Yasa highlights India’s commitment to provide Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) support to Friendly Foreign Countries as a first responder.
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management is an important pillar of India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans’ Initiative (IPOI) announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2019.
“India remains committed to extend full support to Fiji’s efforts to restore livelihoods of the affected communities and to build resilient infrastructure,” it added.
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