Australia to provide humanitarian assistance to Fiji in wake of cyclone: FM

The Australian government will continue to send humanitarian support to Fiji in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Winston, Australia's Foreign Minister announced on Tuesday.

The category 5 cyclone, which ripped through the popular vacation destination over the weekend, has claimed more than 20 lives and left many other stranded and homeless, prompting Foreign Minister Julie Bishop to announce that Australian would provide further aid to that which had already landed in Fiji on Monday.

Bishop said members of the Australian Armed Forces and medical personnel were already administering humanitarian assistance throughout the Fijian islands, but said more manpower and medical supplies would be on their way this week.

"Our assistance will help ensure the Government of Fiji and agencies responding to the crisis to meet the needs of Fiji's citizens, who have been forced to move to evacuation centers and other temporary accommodation," Bishop said in a statement on Tuesday.

Australia will also send an aeromedical evacuation team to provide urgent lifesaving medical support to people in remote outer islands. The team will include 6 medical professionals from Australian state and territory health services. The support will include water and hygiene kits, health support and access to shelter.

Australian Defence Force flights will also transport humanitarian supplies to provide urgent lifesaving support to people affected by the cyclone, supplementing prepositioned Australian supplies already being distributed in Fiji. A C-17A Globemaster has arrived in Fiji overnight with advance personnel and equipment.

Bishop said Australia would continue to "provide further assistance to the relief and recovery efforts as requested" by the Fijian government. Endit