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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Cyclone battered Fiji Islands need assistance

16 January 2003

Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon today called on Commonwealth countries to assist the people of Fiji Islands in the wake of the devastation caused earlier this week by Cyclone Ami.

"I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life and damage to property that has occurred on Vanua Levu and the surrounding islands. For the second time in a month a cyclone has battered the Pacific with terrible consequences. It will be important that the international community respond quickly and positively to any request for emergency assistance from the Government of Fiji once the full extent of the damage has been evaluated."

The Secretary-General has written to the Prime Minister of Fiji Islands, Laisenia Qarase, expressing his deep concern at the damage caused by Cyclone Ami and his hope that Commonwealth governments will support Fiji through this difficult period.
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