HFH Fiji is one of the biggest single entity housing providers in Fiji.

Habitat for Humanity Fiji staff assisted by volunteers from ANZ Bank distributed temporary shelter assistance and community tool kits to three communities in Tailevu last week.

“We are very pleased to note positive feedback from our first corporate body (ANZ) and we are looking forward for more to join.

“We also had a volunteer all the way from Germany and some from local Church groups assisting with the packing of shelter and community too kits,” said Habitat for Humanity Fiji National Director Masi Latianara.

“We’ve been working with local and international partners to get these supplies on the ground,” said Mr Latianara.

People from Nasinu Village, Lolomalevu and Tacileka Settlements were overwhelmed at receiving the relief supplies.

“I have found walls for my kitchen,” said a cheerful Makareta Bale, whose kitchen was blown away in the cyclone. The 35-year-old housewife said receiving the tarpaulins, rope and tool kits was timely.

“I was hoping someone will bring us some tarpaulins so I could use it as temporary walls for my kitchen because it becomes very hard when it rains,” she said.

A temporary shelter kit contains two tarpaulins, rope, and a bucket and a community tool kit contains supplies ranging from hammers, spades, hand saws to binding wire and nails.

Mr Latianara said the team is looking forward to have the supplies distributed in other affected areas this week.

HFH Fiji distributed close to 200 temporary shelter and community tool kits to communities in the Ra division namely Naboutolu, Matawailevu, Veidrala and Nasinu Village, Lolomalevu and Tacileka settlements in Tailevu last week.

“Our aim is to hit the worst affected areas which will be based on our assessments as well as advice from NDMO and the district offices.” said Mr Latianara.

The kits are supported by Fiji Community Development Programme through Australian Aid and World Vision Pacific – an international humanitarian aid organisation.

“Habitat has been building cyclone resilient housing in Fiji for 25 years, and this is just the beginning of what will be a huge effort over the coming months and years as families in Fiji rebuild.

HFH Fiji builds and repairs homes for low-income families and is one of the biggest single entity housing providers in Fiji next to government.

“Support from the Fijian community both here and abroad is impressive and heart-warming, but many families are still in need.

“Winston has given us a beating as a nation, but together Fiji will rise out of this stronger and better prepared.” said Mr Latianara.

HFH Fiji has a goal to distribute 5000 shelter assistance kits hence the distribution continues this week.

Donate to Habitat for Humanity Fiji’s Tropical Cyclone Winston disaster response fund at http:/ / www.bit.ly/ HFH-Winston