FIJI AMERICAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OFFERS FURTHER FJ$42,000 FOR THE PM'S NATIONAL DISASTER RELIEF AND REHABILITATION FUND

Fiji American National Association (FANA) working in conjunction with Honorary Consul Mr. Jay Singh and Fiji’s Trade Commissioner for North America Mr. Praneet Singh today donated a further $42,000 Fijian Dollars towards the Prime Minister's National Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation Fund.

Mr Abdul Rauf, the President of FANA based in San Francisco mobilized community leaders in San Francisco and West coast area over the Christmas holidays and during this period of severe lockdown as a result of the COVID outbreak.

Fiji’s Honorary Consul had contributed $32000 earlier to kick start the efforts of FANA to support Fiji’s recovery from TC Yasa bringing the total contributed via FANA to $74000.

Fijian Prime Minister Hon. Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama offered his heartfelt thanks and appreciation to President of FANA Mr. Abdul Rauf and its executives Mr. Narendra Narayan, Mr. Vinay Nair, Mr. James Prasad, Mr. Anil Singh, Ms. Amrita Singh, Mr. Daven Kumar, Mr. Prem Sarup, Mr. Atendra Singh, Mr. Perry Prasad and Mr. Amal Prasad for mobilizing over the Christmas and new year holidays.

The Prime Minister thanked FANA and Fijians in US for their generosity and for their commitment to rebuilding their home country speedily. He said that “he felt proud that Fijians maintain that great spirit of service wherever they are and offer a ready helping hand whenever we faced tough times as a country”.

In welcoming the assistance, the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Prime Minister, Mr. Yogesh Karan said that “the destruction and devastation caused by TC YASA is extensive. Recovery and rehabilitation will be long and difficult. Such a generous contribution from Fijians in US via FANA lifts Government’s efforts to support families rebuild their lives speedily; in a targeted and a coordinated manner”.

He reassured FANA and Fijian diaspora across the world that Prime Minister's National Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation Fund provides, “support in a highly transparent and accountable manner and the NDMO’s efforts can be tracked in real time by everyone”. PS Karan reminded Fijians that the “Prime Minister’s Fund will ensure that no family is left behind in the TC Yasa rehabilitation”.

President of Fiji American National Association said that the “effort by FANA will conclude on 15th of January. Mr. Rauf said that he hopes that Americans will contribute generously to the efforts underway”.