The government is now working on its next phase to provide housing assistance to the families affected by Cyclone Winston.
Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama has already announced the $70 million initiative which is expected to commence in May.
Minister for National Disaster Management Inia Seruiratu said they are also waiting for the completion of the Post Disaster Needs Assessment.
Seruiratu said this will form the basis of the recovery frame work and the allocation of the necessary resources.
He said after Tropical Cyclone Winston, the government identified three critical areas which became the guiding principle for Post Tropical Cyclone Winston operations.
Bainimarama has confirmed that the housing assistance electronic cards will be issued from the start of May and the funds are to be redeemed by 30th June.
This initiative is designed to benefit affected Fijians who do not have the means to finance repairs on their own and households whose annual income falls under $50,000 a year.
These households will receive a pre‑paid electronic card, with a set amount on it and a pin number to purchase the building materials from selected hardware outlets.
The amount on the card will depend on the amount of damage to people’s homes.
A $1,500 limit for partial roofing damage, a $3,000 limit for serious roofing damage and a $7,000 limit for almost or completely demolished homes.
The individuals will not be restricted to purchasing from only one hardware outlet.
The electronic cards can only be used at the hardware outlets to buy building materials.
