COVID-19 assistance

The new package includes Vt 730 million to subsidise tuition, exam and boarding fees for senior secondary school students, and subsidise boarding fees for secondary students.

According to the Australian High Commission, this will help to keep students in school and take pressure off family budgets.

High Commissioner, Sarah deZoeten announced the assistance to Prime Minister Bob Loughman Weibur in Tanna yesterday.

This vital Forum initiative ensures the passage of humanitarian and medical supplies within the Pacific as we work together to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Simon Kofe, Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers, welcomed the initiative and said: “Australia’s support will ensure that the Pacific Humanitarian Pathway will be able to deliver much needed humanitarian and medical supplies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through its actions, Australia is working to achieve values of familial ties and care for neighbour’s key throughout the Pacific.”