US Withdrawal 'Shocking', says PM
Rokuichiro Michii, said they stand ready to assist Fiji whenever the need.
Saturday 22 March 2025 | 12:23
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka officially opened Warehouse Tolu, funded by the Japanese government. at the Labasa Divisional Hospital on March 21, 2025. Photo: DEPTFO News
Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, says, despite the withdrawal of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funding to the Pacific, other international partners are adequate.
He made these comments in Labasa during the opening of the Ministry of Health's Warehouse Tolu, a pharmaceutical storage facility at Labasa Divisional Hospital on Friday.
Mr Rabuka said the announcement by the United States of America's President, Donald Trump, on the withdrawal of USAID globally was shocking, but as a Government, they had to stay firm.
Related stories
"Like Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) and such other organisations from our friendly neighbours, will come in very useful," Mr Rabuka said.
Mr Trump's decision has affected hundreds of Fijians working under various USAID programmes in Fiji. Millions of dollars in grants for strengthening climate resilience, the healthcare system, economic growth, and digital connectivity in rural communities are now on hold.
Mr Rabuka said they had forged good relationship with other international countries that ensure Fiji is supported in its infrastructure development. He said Japan is one of Fiji's strongest partners who had helped them for a long time now.
Japanese Ambassador to Fiji, Rokuichiro Michii, said they stand ready to assist Fiji whenever the need.
Feedback: sampras.anand@fijisun.com.fj
