The Fijian government and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) signed a letter of understanding on Monday to formalize the partnership for special assistance to needy families affected by Tropical Cyclone Winston that ravaged the Pacific island country earlier this year.

The official signing of the letter of understanding took place in Suva between Fiji's Ministry of Agriculture, Rural and Maritime Development and National Disaster Management, Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation and and the WFP's Pacific office.

As per the document, the WFP will provide some 2.2 million U.S. dollars toward supporting 13,000 households registered under Fiji's Ministry of Social Welfare's Poverty Benefit Scheme, Care And Protection Allowance and 8,000 individuals registered under the Social Pension Scheme, in the 12 areas that were most affected by Tropical Cyclone Winston, which swept through Fiji in February, claiming 44 lives and leaving a path of destruction.

The food assistance is part of the overall efforts by the Fijian government coordinated by the National Disaster Management Office, according to Fiji's Department of Information.

"Winston took away food, crops and livestock, and for many, the roof over their head...WFP is proud to work with the government of Fiji to help the most vulnerable families to buy nutritious food while they get back on their feet," said Florent Chane, head of the WFP Pacific Office.

"The Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation expresses its sincere gratitude towards the World Food Programme for this initiative which will benefit particularly the poorest of the poor living in the affected areas," said Rosy Sofia Akbar, Fiji's minister of women, children and poverty alleviation.

The WFP established its office for the Pacific region in Fiji in September 2015 with the aim to support governments in their emergency preparedness and response measures.

Source: SUVA