Shiu Mati and her daughter, Gyan Wati, have been living in a make-shift tarpaulin shed since last Tuesday.

Their home was among the five houses that were destroyed in the fire at Barnett Lane, Howell Road in Suva.

The mother and daughter are diabetic, and they are calling for help after they lost most of their belongings in the fire.

The shed is filled with some of their belongings saved from the fire and some donated items.

It sits on the same location where their home once stood.

Speaking in Hindi, Ms Mati said: “We don’t have any man in the family and we desperately appeal for help.

“Even a proper tent would help since the tarpaulin we are using is not in a good condition.

“We have nothing left. I had a roof above my daughter’s head, but now we have only burned remains of what we called our home.”

Ms Wati claimed no one had offered them a temporary place to stay in since the fire.

“We plead for assistance to have a shelter. Others have a place to stay, either with their family members or friends, but we have no other place to go to.”

Ms Wati is thankful that they had been donated clothes, blankets, some food and water.

The Minister for Local Government, Housing and Environment, Parveen Kumar visited the site last week to look at possible assistance to families affected by the fire.

The National Fire Authority is expected to reveal the findings of their investigation this week.

Feedback: farisha.ahmed@fijisun.com.fj