THE Fijian Government’s COVID19 response will receive a much needed boost when a European Union (EU) commitment of €119 million (FJD 295 million) is made available to Pacific governments.
The funds is being made available to fifteen members of the Pacific Island Forum and four European territories of the region.
A statement from the EU Delegation For the Pacific said the funds would “focus on strengthening partner countries’ health, water and sanitation systems and their research and preparedness capacities to deal with the pandemic, as well as mitigating its socioeconomic impact.”
EU Pacific Ambassador Sujiro Seam said the pandemic was the greatest global challenge of our time.
“The EU recognizes that it requires a global response, based on international cooperation and partnership. As a part of the EU global response to the COVID-19 pandemic, I am proud to announce the mobilisation of € 119 million for the Pacific.”
The EU’s Pacific The will work with the countries which access the funds to “optimize this assistance” the statement said. officers will work with the countries which access the funds to “optimize this assistance” the statement said.
In the coming days, the EU will release more details on its support programme for the region.
