The Fiji High Commission of Fiji in Australia wishes to express deep gratitude on the outpouring of empathy and generous offers of assistance from the Government of Australia, Australian citizens and Fijians resident in Australia in the aftermath of Cyclone Winston, which was the strongest tropical cyclone ever to hit Fiji. Evidence of widespread devastation is now emerging, while gale-force winds, flash floods and storm surges continue.
Whilst Australian Government assistance is being kindly channelled on the ground through the Australian High Commission in Fiji, the Fiji High Commission in Australia wishes to provide the following information to facilitate a coordinated response from Fijian diaspora groups and the Australian public towards the relief efforts already taking place in Fiji, in order to avoid duplication and prevent any wastage of precious aid resources.
Immediate Assistance:
Donations of money toward relief efforts in the first instance is the most effective form of emergency assistance and will empower cyclone victims to purchase what they need the most whilst ensuring that much needed foreign exchange is injected into the local economy.
The Fiji High Commission is working with Westpac Banking Corporation to establish fee-free direct cash donations to the Fiji Government relief appeal in Australia, to provide humanitarian support to people and communities in areas affected by Cyclone Winston. Account details will be available on the Fiji High Commission (Canberra) website fijihighcom.com shortly.
A number of registered NGOs and aid agencies in Australia (Care Australia, Red Cross and Oxfam Australia) have also kindly commenced TC Winston Appeals.
Donations in kind:
A number of Fijian community groups in the state capitals have registered their fundraising initiatives with the Fiji High Commission to collect donations in kind. The High Commission is fully supportive of such efforts and has undertaken to facilitate, where possible, freight assistance and expedited port clearances for Partner Initiatives.
The High Commission wishes to encourage support for the relief efforts of our registered Fijian community groups; details of fundraising drives and in-kind donation collections around Australia are available on the Fiji High Commission(Canberra) website.
The High Commission welcomes discussions from interested parties on any form of assistance towards disaster relief in Fiji and can be contacted via email:
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. An updated schedule of the priority areas of assistance required from overseas donors will be publicised on our website.