USAID Mission Director for the Pacific Islands Lawrence Hardy is in Fiji at the moment to reinforce the United States Governments commitment to build a more prosperous future for the country.
Hardy says the US Government has allocated $220 million in the new US assistance to the region as part of the Pacific Pledge which was announced last September.
He says this year the USAID will position an officer in Fiji who will responsible for coordinating their programs on the ground.
Hardy says by doing this they hope to help Pacific Island Nations become more resilient to changing environmental conditions such as concerns relating to climate change.
He says in Fiji their volunteers work with communities to build sea-walls, improve water and sanitation, to construct safe houses which will endure extreme weather conditions.