FIJI: Cyclone relief food distribution starts
Updated
The distribution of relief food supplies to areas in Fiji hit by Cyclone Gene at the end of last month has now started. Cyclone Gene struck parts of the Fiji islands early last month, causing damages worth about $A33 million. The Director of the National Disaster Management Office, Joeli Rokovada says the first shipment of food supplies was dispatched to the worst affected areas of Northern Fiji on Monday.
Presenter: Sam Seke
Speakers: Director of Fiji's National Disaster Management Office, Joeli Rokovada
ROKOVADA: At the moment, we are concentrating on the distribution of the food rations to the affected people. We have received figures from the divisional commissioners and to the northern division, particularly for the province of the Kondrova. That will be followed by another boat that will be leaving for the eastern division. This is specifically for the province of Lomaviti, Wednesday at the latest, and on the mainland of in Viti Levu food for the western and central division will be distributed by tomorrow. We have other agencies who are also supporting the food relief program in the provision of vehicles and other resources.
SEKE: Now Mr Rokovada, why is it necessary to provide food supplies? What happened? What did the cyclone do to the normal food supply that the people used to have?
ROKOVADA: It's based on the damages to agriculture, basically in the form of root crops and vegetables and this is to replenish whatever that they lost on the ground.
SEKE: And, how long is that going to go on for?
ROKOVADA: Initially it's for a period of one month and that will be reviewed in conjunction with the agricultural rehabilitation program. These two will have to go hand in hand, the food relief program and the agriculture rehabilitation program. Because the sooner the crops and the rest of those are ready for harvest, then we will have to bring the food relief program to a terminal point.
SEKE: I believe Cyclone Gene also affected quite a number of residential homes. Now what's happening in this area?
ROKOVADA: Well, we have the figures with us and we are working on those figures, have the range of options to submit to cabinet in the next cabinet meeting. That is those who have lost their homes and those whose homes were partly damaged. Those are the basis for the housing rehabilitation program.
SEKE: Does that mean building new homes, and renovating those that were damaged?
ROKOVADA: Eh yes, for those who have lost their homes, completely destroyed, those are the ones we'll be considering for new home or a replacement home and also those whose homes were damaged by the cyclone and the flood.
SEKE: Health officials in the west I believe from news reports are concerned about the upsurge of diarrhoea especially among children, and doctors are also warning that precautions be taken to prevent diseases such as dengue fever, typhoid and leptospirosis. Now is this a real concern and how widespread is it?
ROKOVADA: It's mainly in the northern division in a particular district. They've been doing a lot of work in the affected area, in terms of the health awareness program and sanitation and hygiene and all the other related health programs. It's well taken care of by Ministry of Health at the moment.
SEKE: Now Mr Rokovada, as far as the cost is concerned, can you put an estimated sort of cost of damage by the cyclone?
ROKOVADA: Total cost of damage according to the figures we have at the moment is roughly within the tune of 45 million Fijian dollars.
SEKE: The Chinese Government I believe and as well as the New Zealand and other overseas donors indicated that they would be giving some kind of assistance. Have they come forward so far?
ROKOVADA: At this point in time, we are still talking with them. I think they are also trying to identify possible areas to assist. Yes, we've made two presentations to the donors on thus far, so we are waiting for the consultation with them.
