13,725 people in evacuation centres

All efforts are now being made to ensure that the necessary assistance is provided to the affected people after Cyclone Evan.

DISMAC confirmed that 13,725 people are currently in 228 evacuation centres.

Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama who is currently visiting the affected areas has promised residents that help is on the way.

For those whose houses have been badly damaged, Commodore Bainimarama said they will be given first priority when it comes to assistance.

DISMAC director Manasa Tagicakibau said that aerial surveys of the Northern and Western Division show that there are many structural damages to the houses.

He said most of these damages are from Bua, Lautoka and Nadi.

When asked when first hand help will be given, he said engineers are out and they will be putting tarpaulins on the badly damaged structures.

He added that any other help from the government to rebuild the houses will be revealed later.

Meanwhile, Commodore Bainimarama has urged all the officials to work hard to ensure that all Fijians have a good Christmas.
 
He has also called on all those in the evacuation centres to refrain from drinking yaqona.

He urged people to in the cleanup instead of wasting time drinking yaqona.

 
Story by: Vijay Narayan