A handover ceremony to mark the beginning of the construction of 40 new cyclone-resilient core homes was held in Narewa Village in Rakiraki on September 1.

Forty families, whose homes were completely destroyed during Tropical Cyclone Winston, will benefit from a partnership between Australia and the European Union.

This is via a project implemented by the Habitat for Humanity Fiji (HFH Fiji) and the Australia-Pacific Technical College (APTC).

Apart from the provision of 40 new core shelters, this partnership aims to develop the construction skills of 33 displaced workers from the Penang Sugar Mill because of the impact of TC Winston, including family members of local sugarcane farmers.

These workers are undertaking a Certificate II in Construction course designed to offer them an opportunity to gain skills and qualification in the construction industry while assisting with the construction of cyclone resilient core shelters in communities within the sugar belt areas of Viti Levu.

Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade counsellor Joanne Choe said the Australian government was proud to be able to support APTC in the delivery of training for workers who were engaged in the construction of the new houses.

“The new homes should bring hope to the families who lost everything during TC Winston, and encourage them to continue to show resilience in rebuilding their lives,” she said.

The construction of the 40 houses is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Edited by Rusiate Mataika

Feedback:  mere.satakala@fijisun.com.fj