Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says Fiji stands with our sisters and brothers in Australia in this time of great tragedy.
Bainimarama says whenever Fiji is devastated by natural disaster, Australia has shown that they are ‘vuvale’ –– our family –– by quickly stepping up with aid and on-the-ground assistance.
Bainimarama says they have helped as Fijian families have weathered many a storm, and they have been a rock in times of need adding Fiji will never forget the arrival of the HMAS Canberra following the devastation of Cyclone Winston in 2016.
The Prime Minister says we know, every time Fiji is struck by a tropical cyclone or flooding, we are in the hearts and minds of the Australian people.
He adds it is that same spirit of family that has Fiji left in shock at the scenes unfolding in Australia, where bushfires are inflicting untold destruction. He says our hearts break with every new headline and photo that tell yet another story of suffering, and we mourn every life lost to these fires with immense sadness.
The Prime Minister adds but we in Fiji also know, better than most, the great resilience of our Aussie neighbours; it is a sense of resolve that we see every time our national teams face off on the rugby field.
5.20pm at Tullamarine airport .. the smoke cover from the fires has blanketed Melbourne[Photo:Philip Nair]
He says we see the strength of the national character in the courage of Australia’s firefighters on the frontlines of the bushfires and, despite the immense pain that Australia is going through, we have great faith that your country will heal with haste.
Bainimarama says Australians are in the prayers of every Fijian adding we pray for your communities in healing, for those still in danger, and for those brave first responders and servicemen and women who are fighting back the flames.
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