Fiji Labour Party Leader, Mahendra Chaudhry is urging the Government to provide immediate assistance to victims of the recent flooding in the Western, Northern and Central Divisions.
The former Prime Minister said food rations should also be supplied to the needy as appropriate both in urban and rural areas.
“There are reports of substantial damage to cash crops and livestock from flooding,
and to cane from water-logged fields.”
“Houses inundated with floodwaters have sustained damage to furniture, other
household goods and food items.”
“Hundreds of families dependent on income from sales of cash crops, livestock, sea
produce like fish and shrimps have had their incomes drastically reduced as a result
of the flooding or the prolonged adverse weather conditions.”
He said the disaster comes at a time when ordinary families are already reeling under the
impact of the 15 per cent VAT and other inflationary measures.
“They are going through extremely difficult times. Government must, therefore, give
back to these families some of what it has taken from them. It must announce a relief
package for all those affected.
“It must not neglect them in their hour of need. The floods will have also undermined
economic recovery. It is for the Government now to roll out counter measures,” Chaudhry said.
