20 Jan 2003

More relief supplies on way to Cyclone Ami victims

5:00 am on 20 January 2003

The Fiji government has sent ten truckloads of relief supplies to Vanua Levu for victims of Cyclone Ami seven days after thousands of people were left without food and shelter.

The victims have been complaining to the local media that the state has done nothing to help them.

The opposition leader, Mick Beddoes, says the government should have responded immeediately and valuable time has been lost.

The state supplies consist of basic food items and will be packed in small parcels in Labasa today before distribution.

The military, which has cancelled all leave for troops of the 3rd Battalion, Fiji Infantry Regiment, will help in the distribution.

The government's Disaster Management Committee says it will only help people who have been officially verified by its survey staff.

It says it is setting up strict procedures to prevent abuse of cyclone relief funds by public servants as has frequently happened in the past.

Meanwhile two radio appeals at the weekend have collected more than 120 thousand US dollars for victims of the cyclone.