Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) student and Republic of Fiji Military Forces Captain Eroni Duaibe is on a short break from Wuhan, China.

Mr Duaibe, his wife Asilika Duaibe and Wuhan graduate Varun Kapoor came home earlier this month.

They have undergone the 14-days compulsory quarantine and have been cleared by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.

The couple met with Chinese Ambassador to Fiji Qian Bo on Thursday morning August 27 expressing their gratitude towards the Chinese government and the Hubei provincial government.

According to Mr Duaibe, during the lockdown in Wuhan, a lot of people who lived in the same high rise building as they have fled.

‘Although many fled the city, we are grateful for our neighbours as they constantly checked up on us and other foreigners in the building,” Mr Duaibe said.

Mr Duaibe had played a crucial role during the pandemic as he was the contact person in Wuhan for the Fijian Embassy to China-based in Beijing and a lifeline to other Pacific Island students there.

He documented his daily experiences during the lockdown and was regularly seen delivering face masks and hand sanitisers to Pacific island students in Wuhan.

At the moment the couple are in Fiji to catch up with their families and enjoy a much-needed holiday; they will soon be returning to Wuhan for Mr Duaibe to resume his studies.

Edited by Karalaini Waqanidrola

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