Results for Fiji

There was no tsunami threat for Tonga following a powerful earthquake east of the Fiji islands this morning, the Tonga Meteorological Office advised. The earthquake has been rated by Global tectonic reports among the largest deep focus earthquakes ever observed and was one of ten earthquakes over M 4.3 in the region today.

A study into the source and transmission of typhoid fever, which has been increasing in Pacific countries such as Fiji over the past decade, has revealed that poor sanitation is a major source of Salmonella Typhi, the cause of the disease. Professor Crump, who led the study says the research also highlights the serious concern that Oceania has fallen behind both Asia and sub-Saharan Africa to become the region with the lowest coverage of improved drinking water and improved sanitation.

The Republic of Fiji has made a generous donation of $50,000 FJD ($53,000 Pa’anga) to assist Tonga in its post-cyclone recovery.

Discussions around the overall health and safety of Pacific Islands impacted by extreme weather events induced by climate change were discussed at a World Health Organization (WHO) meeting last week over two days on 15 and 16 March in Suva, Fiji.

Shipping containers leaving Fiji for Australia and New Zealand will undergo the Sea Container Hygiene System (SCHS) starting in April to ensure they arrive pest free. This means both countries won’t have to store containers to perform onshore inspections and cleaning, resulting in costs savings for the industry valued at around AUD$6-9 million per year.

The Tonga Under 20s rugby team scored a last minute try to force a draw against Fiji 26 – 26 in the final of the Oceania Rugby U20 Trophy on Saturday 2 December in Suva, Fiji. To the dismay of Tongan fans, the game did not go to extra-time after the draw, with the Fiji U20s being declared winners of the Trophy as a result of scoring more tries in accordance to the competition rules.

Fiji has become the first developing country to issue a green bond in its bid to raise $100m (US$50m) for climate change mitigation, adaptation, and other environmental-friendly projects.

A declaration outlining actions to tackle Climate Change is circling the Pacific Island countries for support before being delivered to world leaders at COP 23 in Bonn, Germany.

“As Pacific islanders, we have been made custodians of our greatest assets – our people, our culture, our land and our oceans, by our forefathers. A duty we need to fulfill because if we are not careful, we will not only lose our home but we will lose the economic benefits that sustains our livelihoods,” said Christopher Cocker, CEO of the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), at the Climate Action Pacific Partnership Event held last week in Suva, Fiji.