Fiji Labour Party Leader, Mahendra Chaudhry says the Government should step up its relief operations to assist families affected by the recent severe flooding in various parts of the country.
He says farmers who have suffered substantial crop damage should also be given priority for urgent assistance.
Chaudhry says high number of complaints have been pouring in which shows that the government has failed to prepare for emergencies caused by natural disasters.
He says once we get into the cyclone season, the relevant authorities should make sure food packs, bottled water, medicines and other essentials are ready for immediate dispatch to affected areas.
He is also calling on the government to announce its relief and rehabilitation package as soon as possible and not spend weeks on assessment surveys.
Chaudhry says people’s needs are immediate and they must get assistance now.
He further says they have received reports from all over the Western Division that people were still waiting for relief some six days after the massive flooding.
The former Prime Minister adds families in Lovu, Lautoka near the seaside, who suffered severe flood damage to their homes, say they have not received food packs from the government and nor do they have water to clean up their flooded homes.
Chaudhry says the Nasolo and Natutu villages in Ba which were also inundated with flood waters, face similar problems and those in evacuation centres were told to go back and clean their homes.
He is questioning how people can do so if there is no water.
We have sent questions to the Minister for Disaster Management, Inia Seruiratu.
He is yet to respond.
