Communication has finally been made with people on Vanuabalavu in the Lau Group, by the Fiji Navy Officers with the help of New Zealand Air Force.

National Disaster Management Minister, Inia Seruiratu, says the next 24 hours, their priority is to send supplies to the people of the island.

Seruiratu says they are trying their best to send a ship today so the people should receive their basic needs in the next eighteen hours.

“We have also established communication with the people of Vanuabalavu yesterday when we did the aerial reconnaissance over the island through the assistance of the NZ Air Force – we air dropped a portable radio – transmission device to the people and they were able to give us information through the Fiji Naval Officers who were on board the aircraft as well’’.

Vanuabalavu is one of the worst hit islands by TC Winston and all communication lines have been down since last Saturday.

Seruiratu says they are continuing with aerial assessments and photography so that more information from affected areas can be gathered.