The Australian Government today gave $383,000 as part of their response to the recent flooding in Fiji.

James Sweeting, a senior Aus AID official handed over the cheque to the Permanent Secretary of Defense Josefa Matau, saying the funding is aimed at assisting Fiji to purchase essential food rations and help with transportation costs of food to affected villages.

Sweeting said Australia always stands ready to respond to the needs of our Pacific neighbours in times of crisis and given the scale of the crisis, it is appropriate that Australia offers what assistance they can to help the people of Fiji.

On Monday, High Commission officials also presented a cheque for $183,000 to the Fiji Red Cross Society to enable it to restock its emergency supplies such as tarpaulins, water containers, clothing, blankets and emergency kits.