PM assures aid for flood victims as Chaudhry calls for immediate assistance

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has reassured those affected by heavy rain and floods last week that the coalition government stands ready to provide them with necessary assistance and support while the Fiji Labour Party is urging the government to provide immediate assistance.

FLP Leader Mahendra Chaudhry says food rations should also be supplied to the needy as appropriate both in the urban and rural areas.

He says there are reports of substantial damage to cash crops and livestock from flooding and to cane from water-logged fields.

Chaudhry says houses inundated with floodwaters have sustained damage to furniture, other household goods and food items.

He says hundreds of families dependent on income from sales of cash crops, livestock, and sea produce like fish and shrimps have had their incomes drastically reduced as a result of the flooding or the prolonged adverse weather conditions.

The party leader says the disaster comes at a time when ordinary families are already reeling under the impact of the 15 percent VAT and other inflationary measures introduced by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad’s 23/24 national budget.

Chaudhry says they are going through extremely difficult times and the government must, therefore, give back to these families some of what it has taken from them.

He says the government must announce a relief package for all those affected.

Chaudhry adds it must not neglect them in their hour of need. He says the floods will have also undermined economic recovery and it is for the government now to roll out countermeasures.

Minister for Disaster Management Sakiasi Ditoka visited flood-affected areas in Ba, Nadi and Sigatoka where food rations were handed to evacuees.

Meanwhile, Minister for Agriculture, Vatimi Rayalu, has assured farmers that assistance will be provided and says they have no choice but to assist.

While responding to questions by fijivillage News on how the government is assisting, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Prasad says they will not be able to give specific details of the assistance unless there is a proper assessment but immediate relief has already been provided to the people.

Professor Prasad says they are not going to be distracted by politicians on what people need.

He says the government clearly understands its obligations to help the people and immediate relief in many of the areas has already been provided and the NDMO, the Agriculture Ministry and all those involved are on the ground and making assessments.