SUVA, U.S. Embassy in Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu -- The U.S. Embassy in Suva donated over FJ$50,000 (US$25,000) worth of locally-sourced cold storage to the Government of Fiji to assist with the COVID-19 vaccination effort. The donation of freezers coincided with the March 29 arrival of 100,000 doses of the Covishield vaccine in Fiji supplied by the Government of India. The vaccine donation was welcomed at Nadi International Airport by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama.

The U.S. donation consists of 47 freezers ranging in size from 200 to 500 liters. The cold storage will be distributed to 35 cities in all four divisions to maintain the vaccines in optimal conditions. The donated supplies will provide storage space for large quantities of vaccine al over the country, which will allow for the easy transportation of vaccines to inoculation sites. The increased cold chain capability will assist the Government of Fiji in reaching its most vulnerable populations as it moves into phase two of its inoculation campaign.

Charge d’Affaires Tony Greubel said, “Fiji has done an admirable job keeping its population safe from the COVID-19 pandemic. The United States is pleased to assist in this next phase of vaccinating Fiji’s adult population to allow for economic recovery as well.”

The U.S. Embassy purchased all items locally to maximize the economic benefit to Fijian businesses. The donation was funded by the United States Indo-Pacific Command’s Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster, and Civic Aid (OHDACA) program to help stop the spread of COVID-19.