The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has decided to extend its emergency loan of $17.6 million to help Fiji rebuild damaged infrastructure and revive economic activity in rural areas which were affected by the floods in January this year.

ADB's Fiji Office Regional Director Keith Leonard said people living in rural areas are already facing hardships and the floods have made their life more difficult.

A statement released by ADB said the Board of Directors approved the assistance which will be used to rehabilitate roads, bridges and other infrastructure.