The New Zealand Government has provided close to $100 million to support Fiji’s COVID-19 response since the country’s first COVID-19 case struck last year.

This was highlighted by the NZ High Commissioner to Fiji, Jonathan Curr while officiating at the micro enterprises training at the Foundation for Rural Integrated Enterprises and Development (FRIEND) headquarters at Tuvu, Lautoka yesterday.

Close to 30 training participants, who were part of prospective businesses, were part of the training.

In his address, Mr Curr said the NZ Government worked alongside Government and other partners on the ground like FRIEND Fiji to provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), testing equipment and other equipment to assist in the management and treatment of COVID-positive patients.

He said all individuals were affected by the pandemic in their own way and had all witnessed the impact on Fiji’s economy.

“We really needed to come together as a community of international partners such as New Zealand to support each other during this challenging time. This partnership with community organisations such as FRIEND has been really important,” he said.

FRIEND Fiji director, Sashi Kiran said she was grateful to the New Zealand High Commission for continuously stepping in for FRIEND to provide assistance.

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