Fiji Red Cross Society director general Filipe Nainoca on Friday, said the two new vehicles handed over to the society would enhance their service delivery in building resilient communities.

“These will enhance our service delivery especially at divisional levels as well as increase the capacity of Fiji Red Cross branches to better reach the vulnerable people in building resilient communities,” Mr Nainoca said.

Mr Nainoca was speaking after receiving two new pick-up trucks worth $143,000 from the Head of the International Federation of Red Cross Kathryn Clarkson at the Fiji Red Cross Society premises in Suva.

The vehicles were funded by the United States Agency International Development (USAID) .

“The purpose of the vehicles is to be used for the building resilient community Fiji programmes in carrying out its core activities as stipulated under the Strategic Plan 2015-2019,” Mr Nainoca said.

Ms Clarkson said the Fiji Red Cross had shown its ability in disaster preparedness and response since Tropical Cyclone Winston.

“This community resilience programme will help Fiji Red Cross continue to develop their capacity to reach and work with communities in times of peace and disaster and these vehicles play an important role in getting to the people that need their assistance,” Ms Clarkson said.

Mr Nainoca said one vehicle would be based in the Western Division and one would be utilized at the Fiji Red Cross headquarters in Suva.