Minister Acknowledges Contribution to COVID19 Response.

SUVA – Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Hon. Inia Seruiratu visited frontliners at the Live and Learn Fiji office in Suva this morning to acknowledge them for their contributions and commitment towards Government’s joint response to COVID-19.

Live and Learn Fiji had received several funding to assist Government in responding to the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic since May this year. Frontliners from Government partners and other civil society organisations (CSOs) have been assisting them in reaching out to needy and affected families during this humanitarian response.

In conveying Government’s appreciation towards the work completed on the ground, Hon. Seruiratu assured the frontliners and humanitarian partners that crises were only temporary and it would be over soon for Fiji.

“I think it’s important for me to convey in person the appreciation and gratitude expressed by the people, particularly victims of recent disasters for the work that you do,” Hon. Seruiratu said.

Live and Learn Fiji’s Response Coordinator Mr. Kolosa Matebalavu said through funding assistance they had received, they were able to provide relief assistance to affected areas through the distribution of food rations, hygiene kits, WASH kits, Dignity kits, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and seedlings targeting households in the Central Division containment zone.

To date, Live and Learn Fiji has assisted more than 21,000 Fijians from close to 5,000 households.

Meanwhile, Minister Seruiratu also reminded the frontliners about the approaching cyclone season and the need to ensure preparedness in our respective communities and of their families.

“We have a responsibility to prepare ourselves, our communities so that we can minimise the damage and the risks, particularly lives lost during the cyclone season.”

He emphasised about Government’s strategic move towards resilient developments after the devastation of Severe TC Winston in 2016.

“It should not be business as usual now. Development must consider resilience and sustainability at its core. The way we do partnerships must also change and we should strengthen these partnerships, because through partnerships, we can do better.”

Hon. Seruiratu also thanked Live and Learn Fiji and all humanitarian partners for the spirit of partnership and assured them that the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, through the Fiji NDMO looked forward to working with them.