Op Fiji Assist continues – HMAS Canberra comes home

The Australian Defence Force deployment to Fiji under Operation Fiji Assist will transition to a new phase, the Australian government announced today.

Australia will continue to assist Fiji as it moves from response to recovery in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Winston, but, Australia’s largest naval vessel, HMAS Canberra, will depart Fiji today, leaving behind personnel, trucks and helicopters.

HMAS Canberra has successfully completed its first operational deployment and will depart Op Fiji Assist today.

Australian Defence Force command and engineering personnel, vehicles and helicopters will remain in Fiji to conduct assessment activities and deliver assistance.

ADF personnel have so far removed tonnes of debris, restored critical infrastructure, supplied fresh drinking water and delivered lifesaving supplies to the islands of Koro and Taveuni.

More than 1000 Australian Defence Force and humanitarian-assistance personnel have deployed to Fiji, providing critical assistance, including:

• delivering over 341 tonnes of humanitarian disaster relief stores;
• supplying 30,000 litres of drinking water;
• delivering nearly 10,000 hygiene kits and more 7000 shelter kits; and,
• repairing seven primary schools, one high school and two medical centres.

Australia has committed $15 million in humanitarian assistance to Fiji’s recovery, providing life-saving supplies and access to health services to 200,000 people.

The Australian Defence Force will continue to work with the National Disaster Management Office and in support of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces to help Fiji recover from this disaster.

“We remain committed to supporting Fiji’s recovery and assisting our friends and neighbours in times of crisis,” a government spokesman said.

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