Indian Newslink 15th April 2018 Digital Edition

APRIL 15, 2018
10 Fijiink
New initiatives for cyclone-affected victims in Fiji
Venkat Raman
venkat@indiannewslink.co.nz
Fiji’s Prime Minister Josaia
Voreqe Bainimarama has
announced a new set of
measures to provide relief
to the victims of Tropical Cyclones
Josie and Keni that devastated the
country, killing at least eight people
and destroying properties.
Called, ‘Cyclone Assistance Relief
Effort (CARE) for Fiji’ the new
initiative has been designed to
offer relief and assistance to flood
victims efficiently.
Far-Reaching Programme
“CARE for Fiji is an unprecedented
and wide-reaching programme
of Government assistance that cuts
across Government ministries and
departments to aid those Fijians
impacted by the back-to-back
onslaughts of TC Josie and TC Keni.
Under this Programme, a host of
new Government initiatives will
operate- including ‘Homes Care,’
‘Farms Care,’ ‘Sugarcane Care,’
‘Leaseholders Care’ Welfare Care’
and ‘E-Transport Care.’ Each of
these initiatives will cover victims
of cyclones,” he said.
In a Statement issued on April
13, 2018, Mr Bainimarama said
that according to estimates, about
150,000 Fijians are likely to have
been affected by the two recent
Tropical Cyclones.
He said that as of April 13, 2018,
eight people were reported to have
died.
Home Care Initiative
“The first round of assistance
under these initiatives will go
directly towards affected Fijians
Bainimarama announcing the ‘CARE for Fiji’
Programme on April 13, 2018
living in Viti Levu and Vanua Levu.
Under ‘Homes Care,’ households with
annual income of under F$50,000 who
have lost items in their homes or whose
homes were damaged or destroyed in
the cyclones can apply to receive prepaid
electronic cards to purchase materials to
repair their homes and replace possessions
that were lost or badly damaged,”
he said.
People whose homes were totally
destroyed or suffered severe structural
damage can qualify for F$7000 as relief
assistance to pay for reconstruction of
their homes and to cover replacement
costs of lost possessions or household
items. These include television sets, furniture,
housewares and other valuable
items damaged by rains and flooding.
Depending on the extent of damage,
the ‘CARE for Fiji’ and its associate
Programmes will offer financial relief to
victims of the two cyclones.
Those qualified can apply for relief,
the procedures for which will be announced
in Fiji Sun, on Fiji Broadcasting
Corporation Radio Stations and on the
Fiji Government Facebook Page.
Relief for Leaseholders
Mr Bainimarama also announced a
new Programme for assistance to leaseholders
on iTaukei and State land with
A flood-affected area in the Western Division
(Picture for FBC News of Fiji Broadcasting Corporation by
Kreetika Kumar- under a Special Agreement)
an annual income of under F$50,000.
Called, ‘Leaseholders Care,’ the
Programme is for victims of the two
cyclones in the affected areas of Viti
Levu and Vanua Levu.
“For Fijians who are leasing iTaukei or
State land for residential or agricultural
purposes, the government will pay 12
months of their due lease payment.
Details of this scheme will be announced
in the local media,” Mr Bainimarama
said.
Warning to fraudsters
While Mr Bainimarama promised
prompt relief measures to victims, he
also warned against any fraud including
falsified documents.
“If any Fijian is found to be lying about
the state of their property, farm, produce,
home or their belongings, there will be
very serious consequences. We will have
teams deployed throughout the country
carrying out regular spot checks of areas
benefiting from these Programmes, and
we will also establish a hotline where
concerned Fijians can report those who
they suspect have abused these very important
relief programmes. The Hotline
will also allow members of the public
to lodge complaints against those civil
servants who do not fully implement
‘CARE for Fiji Programme,’” he said.
Bainimarama to
attend CHGM
in London
Venkat Raman
venkat@indiannewslink.co.nz
Fiji’s Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama
will attend the Annual Meeting of the Commonwealth
Heads of Government Meeting
scheduled to be held in London this week.
Heads of governments of 53 member-countries of
the Commonwealth will be present at the meeting
due to be held from April 19 to 21, 2018 under the
Chairmanship of Queen Elizabeth.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern
will represent her country and also have an ‘On
Appointment Private Audience,’ with the Queen. Such
meetings are held for Prime Ministers of countries
which are under the British Monarchy.
The Fijian Story
Mr Bainimarama said that he would take with him
‘the stories of the many Fijians who are suffering in
the aftermath of these storms, including the many he
has had the chance to meet and speak with personally
in their communities. I take with me our struggle,
the struggle of the Fijian people in the face of Climate
Change,” he said.
COP23 Negotiations
Mr Bainimarama said that billions of vulnerable
people all over the world face similar struggle and that
Fiji would be relentless in its commitment to ‘COP23’
negotiations.
“We will continue to inspire women, men and
young people around the world to join our mission
to spare our planet from the worst effects of climate
change,” he said.
“We need to keep up the pressure and seek full
implementation of the Paris Agreement on Climate
Change, so that we can limit the harmful emissions
that are causing our climate to change,” he added.