Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama had ordered the immediate release of $1 million from governments coffers for food rations for the Northern and Eastern Divisions.

Permanent Secretary for Provincial Development and Multiethnic Affairs, Sugar and Natural Disaster Manasa Vaniqi said this would enable them to issue food relief through the Divisional Northern and Eastern Commissioners and make their work easier to conduct ground surveys more effectively.

Vaniqi said the emergency food rations would particularly be for the Northern and Eastern groups   Lau and Lomaiviti and also for Kadavu.

He said already the Navy ships have transported $22,000 worth of food rations for the Eastern and $50,000 for the Northern Divisions.

Vaniqi said Government is committed to provide relief funds for those affected and they will ensure unlike in the past where surveys were done and then food rations were supplied to make sure that nobody is left unattended.

Farmers will also be assisted through the Ministry of Agriculture and seedlings will be provided.

The PS said the immediate release of funds for food rations is to meet the needs of the people first and also to carry out their survey smoothly.