Even as rain fell in the Western Division yesterday, the relevant Government ministries were looking for solutions to help drought-stricken residents.

The Minister for Rural development and National disaster management Inia Seruiratu and the Minister for Infrastructure and Development Pio Tikoduadua met yesterday to discuss options to help Western residents deal with the recent dry spell.

Mr Seruratu said they had made some assessments after touring the Western Division and parts of Tailevu last week.

He confirmed this following a welcome ceremony for him and assistant minister Joeli Cawaki at the ministry’s headquarters in Suva yesterday.

“There will be a meeting between the Ministry of Rural development and National Disaster Management, the minister for Infrastructure and Development and Transport just to look at how it has affected other parts of Fiji as well and to look at the options that we have because I did state last week that much of this depended on the assessment by the Met office,” Mr Seruiratu said.

“We are receiving the details particularly how it is affecting root crops and vegetables as well and most importantly livestock, let alone the continuous supply of water to the communities that are in need.”

Mr Seruiratu said the ministry was grateful to the assistance that had been given to them and every other agency involved.

“We are receiving the reports but for the future that we’ll be dependent on further assessment made by the Met office and of course in consultation with other relevant authorities.”

Although the weather was beyond their control, he said the risks that could be brought about by this dry spell could be reduced.

“I think during times as such it is a matter of reducing where we can and most importantly the mitigation and the management of risks so that is exactly how we are preparing at this stage, how we are going to manage in order to minimize the effects to the people,” he said.

Mr Seruiratu added that he was excited to be back with the ministry because there he still had some work that had to be done, some of which had already started.

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