The Australian government stands ready to assist further should the Fijian Government request its help in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Gita that passed over the Southern Lau Group in Fiji this week.

The New Zealand Red Cross is also on standby to provide any assistance if requested by Fiji .

Australian High Commissioner to Fiji John Feakes said his thoughts were with the people of Fiji after Tropical Cyclone Gita caused damage to houses and farms in Southern Lau.

Mr Feakes said the Australian Defence Force had completed an aerial survey on February 14 and data from that flight has been provided to the National Disaster Management Office in Suva.

The aircraft that conducted the mission was a P3C Orion surveillance aircraft from Royal Australian Air Force base Amberley in Queensland.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand Red Cross International and National Disaster Management Officer Andrew McKie said: “New Zealand Red Cross is working closely with our counterparts at Tonga Red Cross, Samoa Red Cross and Fiji Red Cross as communities begin what will be a massive clean up after Cyclone Gita.

“We are collecting donations in New Zealand through our Pacific Disaster Fund to support communities in the Pacific affected by the cyclone.

“New Zealand Red Cross has transferred NZ$10,000 (FJ$15,005.23) from our Pacific Disaster Fund to Samoa Red Cross and has dispatched 300 tarpaulins from our Auckland warehouse to support response efforts.

“We are supporting Tonga Red Cross’ relief efforts by providing non-food items and funds as necessary. A New Zealand Red Cross communications advisor has been deployed to Tonga to support the response effort,” Mr McKie said.

Edited by Percy Kean

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