Immediate relief assistance for flood victims

 [posted 26 Jan 2012,1500]

The Fiji Labour Party calls for immediate relief assistance to be provided to all victims of the devastating floods in the past few days.

"This is not the time to lecture to those who have lost their loved ones and those who are without any means of support, having lost most of their personal belongings in the floods,” said FLP leader Mahendra Chaudhry.

Devastation is massive in what is regarded as the worst flooding in recent history. The Western Division was brought to a standstill following three days of massive floods. Ba town and its surrounding rural areas are, undoubtedly, the worst affected.

At the height of the disaster, areas of the town were submerged in more than 12 feet of water. The loss suffered has been extensive. The town is still without electricity and water.

“It will take a long time for the flood victims to recover and return to their normal lives. The farming community has been badly hit, having lost their crops and livestock. Businesses and households in the West have suffered much loss and damage.

"There is an urgent need for State assistance to be swiftly delivered to these people to hasten the recovery process. Assessments and surveys can continue in their own time.

The immediate task is to ensure that families receive emergency supplies of food, clothing and clean drinking water. It should be remembered that most were stranded for two to three days without these essentials,” said Mr Chaudhry.

The FLP extends its sympathies to all the people who have suffered in any way and stands ready to assist them to contact the relevant authorities for help, he said.