SUVA – Members of the Pakistani community here in Fiji donated $5,000 cash and more than 500 kilograms of clothes to the Fijian Government last Friday to assist in its relief and response efforts for Tropical Cyclone Yasa.
Speaking during the handover, representative of the Pakistani community in Fiji, Mr Saud A Minam said it was always a pleasure to assist the Fijian Government out in any way especially for worthy causes such as Government’s relief efforts for TC Yasa.
“From a community point of view, we don’t have any association and we’re not a registered authority but we are just people from a viable group and we communicate through the group for these sort of activities,” Mr Minam said.
In receiving the donation, Permanent Secretary for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Mr David Kolitagane said the Government was grateful for such assistance.
“Be rest assured that this is going directly to the purchase of food, water and non-food items to be taken to affected communities. Also HMAS Adelaide has loaded some materials for schools in the North. Our priority now is to mobilise these materials for the rebuilding of the damaged schools,” Mr Kolitagane said.
“This will surely boost our efforts in ensuring the most affected communities are assisted. Therefore on behalf of the Hon. PM, the Hon. Minister and our fellow Fijians in the North, we want you to know how appreciative we are of receiving this gift from your community members.”
The cash donation will go towards the Prime Minister’s Trust Fund for the purchase of more food rations for affected Fijians.