Results for Pacific Islands

The Pacific faces huge challenges should the world warm by 1.5 degrees Celsius by the early 2030s, warns an Australian climate change expert after a UN scientific report was released yesterday.

US border agencies will detain tuna and other seafood harvested by the Hangton 112, a Fijian flagged and owned fishing vessel, under a Withhold Release Order issued by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which claims the use of forced labour on the vessel. Flag states need to uphold international standards and perform proper oversight and safety of their ships, says the chair of a migrant workers union.

Ms Rachael Moore has been announced as Australia’s next High Commissioner to Tonga.

The Government of Japan and the UNICEF today, 26 July announced a US$20.8m partnership to boost ongoing COVID-19 preparedness and response efforts in the Pacific region.

Two pregnant women in their early 30s from Lami were among the 21 new COVID-19 deaths in Fiji reported as new infections and deaths surge there. Neither of the pregnant women had been vaccinated. “Maternal deaths due to COVID-19 are a clear indication of the severity of this outbreak,” said Fiji Permanent Secretary for Health, Doctor James Fong, who urged Fijians to stay at home.

Fiji has recorded 784 new cases of COVID-19 for the 24-hour period ending at 8am on July 19. There have also been 15 new COVID-19 deaths from July 12-19, raising the death toll to 113, according to the Fiji Ministry of Health and Social Services latest data update.

A one-year USD1.5 million partnership to support seven governments in the Pacific in their COVID-19 preparedness plans was today committed by UNICEF and the United States Government.

Fiji opened its first COVID-19 vaccination drive-through at Suva's Albert Park Pavillion on 6 July as the country battles with rapidly increasing new cases. The Ministry of Health and Medical Services reported 636 new COVID-19 cases and 6 deaths over a 24-hour period on 7 July.

A Tongan student at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji has tested positive for the COVID-19. Positive cases are increasing in Fiji since its latest outbreak in April, prompting Tonga to postpone repatriation flights from Fiji.