The Australian Government has announced a further assistance of $3million to respond to the floods in Fiji.

Australian Foreign Affairs Minister, Stephen Smith said the $3 million includes $1 million for emergency food assistance and $2 million for longer term recovery and reconstruction.

Smith said following the request for international assistance on the 15th of January, and given the scale of the crisis, it is appropriate that Australia offers what assistance they can to help the people of Fiji.

The $1million in emergency relief includes the initial $150,000 for the Fiji Red Cross Society which enabled the Red Cross to restock and distribute their emergency supplies.

Smith said Australian officials will continue to work with Fijian authorities to determine how this broader assistance will be used, based on assessments of longer term needs.