Government’s first priority right now is to start building homes again - PM

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama said the government’s first priority right now is to start building homes again for the areas that have been badly affected by Monster Cyclone Winston.

While visiting Dawasamu yesterday, Bainimarama was emotional as he saw some families were still in shock as they have lost their homes and all their belongings.

The Prime Minister visited the villages of Nasinu, Silana, Driti and Nataleira.

Bainimarama went with the team of government officials to distribute rations to the people severely affected by Cyclone Winston.

He said he wants to ensure that the people get what they need right now.

Bainimarama also urged the Ministry of Health to provide clean water and water tablets for the villages along the Dawasamu coastal areas.

He also asked the villagers of Silana to think of the location of their village and try to build their homes on high ground.

About 200 men, women and children are currently staying at Navunisea District School.

Around 32 houses were destroyed in Silana, 25 houses were destroyed in Nasinu while over 40 houses were destroyed in Nataleira village. 

About 105 Nasinu villagers are staying at the village church while about 200 Nataleira villagers are staying at the village hall.

About 150 Driti villagers are staying at Dawasamu Primary School.  
Yesterday Fijivillage witnessed the distribution of food to the villages that Bainimarama visited in Dawasamu.

Meanwhile the National Disaster Management will provide tents for the families that have lost their homes.

Children affected by TC Winston

Thousands of children have been severely affected by Tropical Cyclone Winston.

Despite the huge struggles, these children are seen smiling in the badly affected areas, hoping that help is coming. 

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama had a one on one conversation with students from the four villages in Dawasamu yesterday.

The 40 children have nothing left, and were all smiles when Bainimarama arrived with RFMF, Fire Authority and Corrections Service trucks with flour, rice, sugar, milk, water, tinned fish, cooking oil, soap and plastic utensils. 

The ration packs were handed out by soldiers and DISMAC officials.  

Bainimarama has promised the children that they will go back to school as soon as possible. 

A student from Silana village asked the Prime Minister about their school books and stationary. 

Bainimarama said they will get the Ministry of Education to assist them and get them back on their feet to go back to school.

The Prime Minister has been hailed as the people’s saviour by the people of Dawasamu.

But Bainimarama says that it is his duty to help everyone and he hopes his visit to the affected areas gives them the much needed hope.

Some schools may use tents to hold their classes when school resumes.

Minister for National Disaster Management, Inia Seruiratu says with most of the schools badly damaged from Tropical Cyclone Winston, they may have to resort to tents to start classes.

The Ministry of Education has also been given two helicopters by the Australian and New Zealand governments to carry out an aerial damage assessment of affected schools in Lomaiviti and the coastal areas of Ra.

About 64 schools are badly damaged. 

This number is expected to increase.