2003 Media Release

1 January 24, 2003 U. S. PRESENTS CHECK TO RED CROSS FOR CLEAN WATER FOR AMI VICTIMS

The U.S. Embassy in Suva today presented a check to Ms. Alison Cupit, Director General of the Fiji Red Cross, in the amount of US$25,000 to assist with humanitarian relief to communities devastated by Cyclone Ami. At current exchange rates, that is about $49,500. The Fiji Red Cross will use much of the funds to acquire three portable water filtration and purification units to provide emergency fresh drinking water to communities whose water supply was contaminated or destroyed by the cyclone.

This should help in an area that the U.S. Embassy understands is particularly urgent, especially to prevent worse outbreaks of disease or illness. After Cyclone Ami relief ends, the Fiji Red Cross will keep the water filtration and purification units in case there is need for them in a future disaster.

The balance of the money will be used for water containers to hold a family's supply of drinking water, tarpaulins for temporary roofing, and humanitarian relief packs for families containing clothing, blankets, towels, hygienic supplies and polythene sheeting. Hugh Neighbour, Chargé d'Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Suva praised the determination of the people of Fiji, private citizens, businesses and government leaders, to assist their neighbors in need.

Mr. Neighbour especially congratulated the Fiji Red Cross on its immediate response to the disaster, and on the advanced planning and prepositioning of supplies that made a quick response possible. He noted the unanimous praise for the job the Fiji Red Cross has done in this crisis, praise heard both here and from abroad.