“I do apologise for this but the answer is I do not know.”
Minister for National Disaster Management, Inia Seruiratu made this comment in parliament today after National Federation Party MP, Lenora Qereqeretabua asked him to confirm if victims of cyclones Yasa and Ana will be receiving any rehabilitation or rebuilding grants.
Seruiratu says all disasters are different and the assistance provided after Cyclone Winston was a one-off and it does not mean what was done after Winston will continue for other disasters.
He says rehabilitation or rebuilding grants for TC Yasa and Ana will depend on the recommendations of the National Disaster Management Council and will also depend on the environment that we are in.
Seruiratu says the NDMO will submit the plan to the National Disaster Management Council withing three months after the end of the emergency period which concluded on 6th March in Vanua Levu.
He says the council will then evaluate the proposal and prepare a recommendation to cabinet including proposed funding.
Seruiratu says while they are yet to go through this process, rehabilitation work has already begun in the North and the focus is on rebuilding homes and they have started with this although there have not been any grants.
Seruiratu adds the NDMO will also hold consultations with all divisional and district officers and disaster service liaison officers of all agencies in identifying areas for rehabilitation planning.
