The National Disaster Management Office says they have received a number of reports that individuals are falsely claiming to run Tropical Cyclone Yasa relief operations and are soliciting payments.
NDMO Director, Vasiti Soko says these reports are being investigated.
Soko says to prevent well intentioned donors from being exploited they are requesting interested organizations, groups, civil society organizations and businesses seeking to collect TC Yasa related assistance to register and become NDMO certified so that the giving public are assured that their funds are put to good use as intended.
She says the certification process has no fee.
Soko adds the process of becoming NDMO Certified is simple as it carries the additional benefit of ensuring that the aid is not unnecessarily duplicated and that the holistic needs of affected communities are met.
The NDMO Director says by coordinating their donations, they can ensure every donated dollar is used as efficiently as possible and that every community gets the support they so badly need.
Soko says they have established a page for registration purpose, and this can be accessed at www.ndmo.gov.fj under TC Yasa Relief adding given the urgency they are committed to approving complete, verifiable applications as quickly as possible.
Forms are also available with the Divisional Commissioners Offices. A letter will be sent by NDMO or Divisional Commissioner’s Office upon completion of verification and registration.
The organisers are to display this in any notices for fundraising and collection.
She says organisations and groups who have already received donations may continue with their fundraising and collection drives adding they are requested to liaise with either the NDMO or Divisional Commissioners to register the items they have collected and which communities they will distribute their donations to or to donate their collections to a NDMO-Certified organization.
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