People in urgent need of essentials
NATIONAL Federation Party leader Prof Biman Prasad says he believes super storm Yasa has affected more than 200,000 people on Vanua Levu and surrounding islands where it made landfall.
He said people were in urgent need of water, food, clothes, beddings and financial assistance to rebuild their homes and lives.
Prof Prasad called on Government to immediately deploy army engineers “to inspect and repair badly damaged schools and infrastructure essential for basic services like water supply and health facilities”.
He also called on Government to authorise FNPF to allow withdrawals by members affected by the cyclone to help in rehabilitation of homes and purchase of basic household items.
Prof Prasad said FNPF should also allow members not affected by the disaster or impacted by COVID-19 to withdraw funds to help immediate relatives who were not members of the fund like canegrowers, farm labourers and villagers.
“People need food and clothing immediately and many people, especially our members, supporters and well-wishers are working towards providing these basic items to as many victims as possible in the coming days,” he said after visiting affected areas over the past three days.
“In this regard, we request our two domestic airlines flying to the North, Fiji Link and Northern Air, to expedite travel by people and cartage of emergency goods.
“We acknowledge Northern Air and its owner Captain Rainjesh San for their assurance to facilitate this worthy cause.
“In this regard we call on the shipping companies to do the same in giving priority to cartage.”