RNZI: Kiribati’s Chief Justice Sir John Muria has officially declared Taneti Maamau as the new president of Kiribati. In a nationwide live declaration, Sir Muria confirmed this after the counting of votes from yesterday’s Presidential election, declaring Mr Maamau the president after he won a majority of votes at nearly 20,000. An Air Kiribati special…
SUVA, (FBC NEWS) – Fijian Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism, Faiyaz Siddiq Koya, has reiterated his warning to traders to refrain from engaging in price gouging and other unfair trade practices. “It has been noted that some traders have exploited consumers following Cyclone Winston. These practices are not acceptable and will not be tolerated…
Suva (Fiji Sun) – Fiji Airways last week donated $1 million towards the Prime Minister’s National Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation Fund to assist those affected by Cyclone Winston. Fiji Airways managing director/chief executive, Andre Viljoen, handed the cheque over to Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama. The airline has also announced free carriage of relief supplies domestically…
Suva, Fiji – The European Union (EU) will provide an initial FJ$ 10 million through the Pacific Community (SPC) to complement the Fijian Government’s efforts in relief, recovery and rehabilitation following the devastation caused by Tropical Cyclone Winston. The funds will immediately be made available from EU-SPC projects for communities and businesses in the most…
Australia West Papua Association (AWPA) has written to Foreign Minister Julie Bishop concerning the intimidation of West Papuan representatives from the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) and other activists who attended the opening of an office in the town of Wamena in the Papuan highlands on the 15 February. The Coordinating Political, Legal…
The United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, Pacific Sub-Regional Office has provided through the Fiji Ministry for Health and Medical Services a first batch of 200 emergency dignity kits, which are packed specifically for women to ensure reproductive health needs are addressed. The provision of dignity kits immediately after events like Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston seeks…
Port Vila, Vanuatu – A new project that will draw upon local community knowledge and expertise in North Efate to better manage coastal resources has been launched today by the Pacific Community (SPC) and Vanuatu stakeholders. The restoration of ecosystems services and adaptation to climate change project (RESCCUE) is being implemented regionally until the end…
RNZI: The Vanuatu Met Office has issued a Tropical Cyclone Warning for Tafea province. Cyclone Winston, now a category three system, was located about 370 kilometres east-northeast of Tanna and 340 kilometres east-northeast of Aneityum. Winston is moving in a southerly direction at 10km/hr, and winds close to the centre of the category three storm…
Suva (Fiji Times) – PRIME Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has assured the nation that the Government is working hard to keep Fijians as updated as possible on the restoration process following the ravage caused by Hurricane Winston. In his message, Mr Bainimarama said the damage was widespread, as many homes had been destroyed, low-lying areas flooded…
Suva (Fiji Sun) – Category 5 Tropical Cyclone Winston is the most powerful recorded cyclone to hit Fiji. Ever. As it carved its way across the country last Saturday, it left behind a trail of destruction in its path. The monster storm, packing 230 kilometres an hour winds and gusting to 325kmh, has destroyed homes,…