Fiji’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, has thanked the Government and people of Vanuatu for the Vt10 million pledged by the Government towards Fiji’s recovery process after the destructive cyclone Winston which killed over 40.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and External Trade, Bruno Lengkone, who is currently in Suva, Fiji, handed over the Government’s pledge via a diplomatic note yesterday.
He conveyed the sympathy and condolences of the Government and people of Vanuatu to the Government and people of Fiji for the loss of their loved ones and their suffering.
“What is handed over to you may amount to very little compared to the overall value of the losses suffered by Fiji, but let me assure you that this initial support comes from the bottom of the hearts of all ni-Vanuatu to our brothers and sisters in Fiji at this critical time,” the minister is reported to have said.
Minister Lengkone further assured his counterpart of the ongoing commitment of the Government and people of Vanuatu, to continue to assist the MSG member country in its recovery efforts both immediate and the long term.
Minister Kubuabola sincerely thanked the Government and people of Vanuatu and emphasised the strength of “our relationship as Melanesian brothers and sisters”.
Minister Lengkone was accompanied by the Acting Director General of Foreign Affairs, Yvon Basil, Acting Director General of the Ministry of Climate Change, Jesse Benjamin, First Political Adviser, George Anderson Toa and the Chargé d’Affairrés of the Vanuatu High Commission in Suva, Emmanuel Blessing.
Minister Kubuabola invited Minister Lengkone and his delegation to a lunch meeting and Suva-based Japan’s Ambassador to Vanuatu, Takuji Hanatani hosted the Vanuatu delegation for dinner at his residence.
Mr Lengkone was also invited to attend the first Fundraiser of the Vanuatu Students Association in Suva towards the relief efforts of cyclone Winston that will take place today.