Government has received $188,679.25 from the Vanuatu government to help with relief efforts in the wake of severe Tropical Cyclone Winston.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Ratu Inoke Kubuabola received the donation from his counterpart Bruno Leingkone.

Mr Leingkone presented it on behalf of the Vanuatu Council of Ministers and the people of Vanuatu.

The donation will be directed to Prime Minister’s National Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation fund to help those affected by the cyclone. Mr Leingkone is here on a goodwill mission said.

He said the people of Vanuatu rallied behind Fiji’s efforts to recover from the devastation caused by Winston.

It was just how Fiji had assisted Vanuatu in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Pam last year.

He conveyed Prime Minister Salwai Tabimasmas and the people of Vanuatu’s condolences to the people of Fiji who had lost their loved ones.

He said Fiji would always be a close friend, a brother and an important development partner to Vanuatu.

Minister Kubuabola said the people of Fiji were grateful and humbled by the gratitude expressed by the people of Vanuatu.

He said the people of Fiji would use the assistance to rehabilitate given the status of devastation that the cyclone left them in.

Minister Kubuabola said the assistance from international development partners especially their bilateral partners was overwhelming.

He said the Government was grateful for the all the assistance pouring into the country. Source: DEPTFO News