The second phase of the Help for Home distribution will aim to assist those communities that have not yet been assisted during the first phase of the distribution.

These comments were made by Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Rosy Akbar during her official visit to the rural communities in the West last week.

“Through the Government’s Help for Home Initiative, we have assisted close to 23,300 people across Fiji. These includes those in 12 priority areas namely Vanuabalavu, Koro, Lomaiviti Group, Taveuni, Qamea, Yacata, Savusavu, Bua to Nabouwalu, Tavua, Tailevu to Ra, Ba, Rakiraki, Lautoka, and Yasawa,” Ms Akbar said.

“However, there are still some areas that are yet to receive the assistance.

“Government has spent close to $84.3 million through this immediate housing assistance and effort is also made to ensure that all those 23,000 beneficiaries are able to get their building materials to rebuild their homes.

“If you have received the Help for Home cards and you are waiting for the hardware materials please be assured that we are working with the hardware companies, so that they can provide all the materials that you need,” she said.

Ms Akbar said that through the rollout of next phase, the Ministry would reachout to other areas that need the assistance.

“For the second phase we have a budget of $20m. We are also processing the refund applications and when it’s ready we will do the announcement.

“For those communities that have not received their cards yet, they will be assisted through the second distribution phase. We will also be visiting some of the communities that have received the cards and speak to these communities on the progress made,” Ms Akbar said.

Source: Ministry Of Women, Children And Poverty Alleviation

Feedback:  jyotip@fijisun.com.fj