Teams assess damage
After the flood...
COMMISSIONER Western Apolosi Lewaqai says initial damage assessments within the Western Division are still being carried out by their teams.
He said teams were visiting flood affected areas where households were affected to collect damage reports that could help Government provide assistance.
“The most damage that we have received so far in terms of household damage is a home in Lautoka where a tree fell on the home,” Mr Lewaqai said.
“Together with our Minister for Rural Development, Mr (Sakiasi) Ditoka we visited the family and were able to provide reassurance that we will be providing some assistance for them.
“At this point we have given them some non-food items and tools to help in their recovery efforts.
“As for infrastructure and agriculture damage, while we are doing our own assessments, officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and FRA are doing their own too.
“We have seen a lot of crossings, bridges and roads that have been damaged but the priority right now by FRA is providing access to members of the public.
“It is important for us to provide that access especially for working people and children heading back to school,” Mr Lewaqai said.
He said food distribution packs recently handed out by FRIEND Fiji were for families that were affected in the previous floods.
“This was a request from the advisory councilors of communities that were affected in the last flood.
“For the current flood we are still carrying out our initial assessments and once those are completed, we will send it to our Director NDMO to decide where Government can come in to provide assistance.
“But for this recent distribution we are very grateful to FRIEND Fiji for providing the affected families with food packs and some relief,” he said.