Only three houses rebuilt after cyclone
ONLY three of the 26 houses destroyed by Tropical Cyclone Yasa in Yaro Village on Kia Island, Macuata, have been rebuilt.
Village headman Kemueli Lautiki said TC Yasa destroyed 26 houses and partially damaged 12 houses when it swept through Vanua Levu on December 17, 2020.
He said of the 26 houses destroyed, only three families managed to rebuild their homes, thanks to the support of family members living abroad.
Mr Lautiki said villagers who initially lived in tents following the cyclone decided to use damaged building materials to rebuild houses for their families.
“We couldn’t wait on people to come forward and assist because we needed to provide houses for our families,” he said.
“After TC Yasa, the village was in a deplorable state and we all lived in tents, so some of us thought of building better homes for our families so we used damaged material to rebuild.
“Three families have been blessed because they raised funds and we also have the support of our families living overseas. But we continue to do the same for the rest of the families who have yet to rebuild good houses.”
Villager Ratu Meli Silibaravi said he rebuilt his house after finding broken pieces of wood and roofing iron from the nearby forest.
“My house was totally damaged so after the cyclone, I went to the nearby bush and collected the damaged housing materials and nailed it together to use again,” he said.
“Some pieces were nailed together for my walls and for the structure of the house.
“Now we are working with other villagers to raise funds and every week we help different families and it’s not easy especially with our children.”
There has been no assistance in terms of housing except for water tanks given by a local company and other donations from international groups and kind donors – Kemueli Lautiki