��һ�ǿ�����

Kiwi and Fijian authorities have joined forces to deliver much-needed food and supplies to island groups badly hit by last week’s tropical cyclone.��

Members of the Royal New Zealand Navy and Fiji’s National Disaster Management Office have been travelling to a number of islands - including Yasawa, Vatulele and the Mamanuca group - for the last few days to hand over food and aid to villagers.��

The HMNZ Manawanui, carrying two shipping containers of food ration supplies, arrived in the region late last week after��Tropical Cyclone Mal - which reached a Category 3��strong event - battered the islands with heavy rain and hurricane-force winds.��

Despite initial fears it could cause more prolonged damage, the cyclone weakened.��

Food rations and aid supplies are delivered to island groups in Fiji badly affected by Tropical Cyclone Mal last week. Photo / Fiji NDMO��

The aid provided by New Zealand includes more than 800 food ration packs.��

Director of Fiji’s NDMO, Vasiti Soko, thanked the New Zealand Government for helping in their hour of need.��

Rugby balls bring smiles to youngsters��

“The provision of HMNZ Manawanui to be able to assist the Fiji Government in transporting these relief supplies across to our affected population is a testament to our deep friendship and duavata (interconnections) spirit that we as a people of the blue Pacific share.”��

Crew members from the HMNZ Manawanui gift local children in Fiji rugby balls while out delivering aid to islands affected by Tropical Cyclone Mal. Photo / Fiji NDMO��

While authorities have been visiting the various islands this week, it seems the Kiwi crew members have been a hit with villagers - with Navy members gifting rugby balls to local children.��

“A big shout-out to the crew members of the HMNZ Manawanui for spreading joy along the way by generously donating rugby balls to the children on the island,” Fiji’s NDMO said online.��

Fijian personnel on board will carry out initial damage assessments at each island and will assess any damage on the ground - everything from infrastructure and agricultural issues to health and needs of the people.��

“This exercise is critical, as it will determine the extent of damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Mal to these communities - providing valuable information for our response,” Soko said.��