President Katonivere Visits Flooded Areas RFMF on Standby for Rehabilitation Works

The Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) personnel are on standby for disaster rehabilitation efforts in flood affected areas once flood waters recede in the Western Division.

RFMF Commander Major General Ro Jone Kalouniwai said there were teams already deployed to the Western Division helping out the Police and Government ministries with evacuation as Western communities continue to be affected by flood waters.

Major General Kalouniwai said they would start work in the Western Division when the situation improves.

He said should there be a need to deploy more people, the RFMF would do so when the need arises.

“We are just waiting for flood waters to recede so we can deploy more people, we already have people out there who are monitoring the situation

“It is really a whole of Government approach and we are working with all stakeholders together with the NDMO (National Disaster Management Office).”

He said for the past few days and weeks they have been holding briefings with the NDMO.

He added that mechanisms were already in place and the RFMF would continue to monitor the situation where help was needed.

Offers in place for assistance

Minister for Rural and Maritime

Development and Disaster Management Inia Seruiratu says they may convene a meeting and briefing today for the bilateral level and multilateral agencies.

Mr Seruiratu said offers are already in place for assistance from bilateral level and multilateral agencies

“We have our systems, and we will work through the clusters, and then through NDMO and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” Mr Seruiratu said.

“We will have a meeting and briefing for all our key partners especially at the bilateral level and of course multilateral agencies.

They are always ready and available as information becomes clear we will convene the meeting. If there is a need to convene a counsel meeting and then through Foreign Affairs for our partners.”

Mr Seruiratu was visiting flood zones in Tailevu and Naitasiri yesterday.

Photo: Leon Lord President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere while visiting Naqali on January 10, 2022.

Photo: Leon Lord Wailotua 1 Village in Tailevu under water on 10 January’s 2022. This after the Wainibuka River burst its bank at the height of Tropical Cyclone Cody.