Fijian PM praises local Chinese community for cyclone relief efforts

Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama commended Chinese Fijians on Sunday for donating towards relief and rehabilitation efforts in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Winston that wreaked havoc in the Pacific island nation.

"We are grateful to the Chinese community here for the financial assistance rendered to our people in these difficult times," Bainimarama said after receiving a donation of 91,188.88 Fiji dollars (43,000 U.S. dollars).

The donation will be deposited into the prime minister's National Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation Fund, established by the Fijian government to directly benefit Fijians who have been left homeless, without adequate food, water and essential services, especially those in rural and maritime communities.

Donations and various forms of relief assistance provided to affected families by the local communities are the first step towards rebuilding lives, Bainimarama said.

"In my visits to all the villages and settlements, I have been telling people that a big amount of donation, funding and support has come from the local communities," said the Fijian prime minister.

Fijians of Chinese descent are willing to reach out a helping hand to their Fijian brothers and sisters, said Jenny Seeto, president of the Chinese Association of Fiji.

"Contributing towards restoring, rebuilding and rehabilitation efforts after Tropical Cyclone Winston is important for all of us. Some of our members were affected but they have also pitched in to help because we have the country at large to take care of. Our loss is small compared to the rest of the nation," said Seeto, adding that members of the Chinese community in Fiji continued visiting rural areas affected by Winston to provide much-needed help.

Winston, a category 5 tropical cyclone, tore through Fiji on Feb. 20, killing 43 people and left a path of massive damage and destruction. Enditem