29 Feb 2016

Cyclone Winston: NZ govt committed to helping Fiji

8:34 pm on 29 February 2016

The death toll from Cyclone Winston has risen by one, to 43.

Fiji's National Disaster Management Office said the latest victim was from Koro Island.

FBC news reports there are now close to 55,000 people in 899 evacuation centres.

Prime Minister John Key says it was likely the Government will offer more support to Fiji.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully was in Fiji today to meet with response staff and hold meetings with the Fiji Government.

New Zealand has contributed $3.2 million to the relief effort so far and and the Defence Force is helping deliver supplies and repair damage to critical infrastructure.

Mr Key sais the government was very committed to helping the Fijian people, and he did not rule out the possibility of visiting Fiji to offer his support.

Meanwhile, Australia is providing another $10 million in aid to Fiji after Cyclone Winston.

It will go towards providing food, clean water, hygiene and shelter.

Australia is also sending 16 more medical professionals to supplement a team of six already working in Fiji.

The new package brings Australia's assistance to $16 million.

Australia's largest navy ship, the HMAS Canberra, is due to arrive in Fiji within the next day.