Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and National Disaster Management, Inia Seruiratu, has acknowledged the team that arrived from Tonga yesterday.

This is the team that delivered 11 40-foot containers with varying items based on the lists given to Fiji by the Tongans.

“Thank you for flying the flag and providing the assistance to our brothers and sisters in Tonga. We know that everything went well, and we are here to welcome you back home,” Mr Seruiratu said.

Mr Seruiratu said they looked forward to the report that would be presented by their team leader.

“If there is anything worth noting that we can learn please do let us know. We hope that every time we send out our team for deployment abroad, there are many lessons to learn.

“We will continue to take onboard the key lessons learned and most importantly how we can improve on that and maintain the level of efficiency in the work that we do.”

National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) director Vasiti Soko said the team departed Nuku’alofa on Tuesday and they were all fine

“There were strict COVID protocols followed for both in Nuku’alofa and when they arrived here,” Ms Soko said.

She added that this was a partnership between Civil Society Organisations, Non-Government Organisations and Government ministries that came together to make this trip a success.