Yaro Villagers On Kia Plan Relocation

Yesterday villagers, with the help of Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF), put iron sheets and the likes in a pile that can still be used for rebuilding.

There are further plans to relocate the village according to village headman Kemueli Lautiki.

“There were surveyors that have come to survey the best location to relocate,” he said.

Mr Lautiki was thankful to the first responders as the islanders had received kits from neighbouring countries New Zealand and Australia.

“The content of the kits would help every family to start with the rebuilding process,” he said.

“It will definitely take a lot of time, but we’re taking one day at a time to rebuild our life, families, homes and village.

“With the assistance from the RFMF officers, we have been put into three evacuation centres, cleaned up the village.”

Thirty RFMF personnel arrived on Saturday to assess and provide relief as more reinforcements are expected in the coming days.

Republic of Fiji Military Forces personnel are on the ground on Kia Island helping villagers clear away debris left behind by Cyclone Yasa. Photo: Laisa Lui

“I took my baby brother and ran into the room and cried as I was scared. I didn’t want anything to happen to my brothers and sister.

“I was shaking even when my mother came to check on us.

“I will never forget what TC Yasa did, it gave me courage to make sure my siblings were okay,” he said.

Timoci’s mother Asenaca Davai said: “I encouraged him to be strong and not to cry. He had to be strong for his siblings.

“I told them to get under the bed and put a mattress to cover them as the roof was starting to be blown off by the strong winds.”

There were more than 20 people sheltering in their four bedroom home.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa and Jonathan Bryce

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