Big Lau Visit

Preparing villagers of Lau for the 2020/2021 November-April Cyclone Season is of the highest priority for the Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Inia Seruiratu.

Mr Seruiratu is currently touring the Southern Lau group with the Minister for Health and Medical Services, Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete, Adventist Development Relief Agency Fiji (ADRA Fiji), United Nations (UN) Resident Co-ordinator Sanaka Samarasinha and various Government delegates.

With at least three tropical cyclones predicted to cross our Exclusive Economic Zone this season, Mr Seruiratu is urging Fijians to prepare early to minimise the level of destruction.

“Preparation is very, very critical. It is important, particularly for us given the seasonal forecast that has already been released, we hope that every level of community will start preparing accordingly,” the minister said.

“And of course, we also need to start the co-operation and discussion between the agencies and service providers so that we can prepare before we go through the season.”

Engagements on the islands will include the distribution of cash assistance vouchers and hardware tools to villages that were affected by Tropical Cyclone Harold in April this year. The islands are Vatoa, Moala, Totoya, Matuku and Ono-i-Lau.

The ministry is also looking at its internal state-of-readiness.

“We will also start looking at all the key service providers and key stakeholders. We intend to do our operational readiness check,” he said, adding that it is vital in identifying critical areas that need to be addressed.

Photo caption: United Nations, Fijian Government and Civil Society Organisations delegation onboard the vessel, the Lomaiviti Princess on November 3, 2020. Photo: Kelera Sovasiga

The five-day visit, which ends on Saturday, is a continuation of a recent joint tour to Kadavu, organised by the United Nations (UN).

Lau and Kadavu were the two regions hit the hardest by TC Harold.

Assistance to both regions included Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) projects and longer term development programmes.

As part of the disaster preparedness awareness programmes, the ministry will also be distributing posters, flyers and awareness materials to villagers.

Talanoa sessions will also be conducted to talk about better access to Government services, development aspirations and recovery work in Lau.

Feedback: adi.sovasiga@fijisun.com.fj