13 May 2004

Fiji disaster relief efforts criticised in Senate

10:26 am on 13 May 2004

There's been strong criticism in the Fiji Senate of the state's disaster relief efforts.

The government senator, Ratu Josefa Dimuri, has told the Upper House that schools and hostels which were damaged by Cyclone Ami in Vanua Levu last year, are still without roofs.

Senator Dimuri says yet the government is talking of making savings in the amount allocated to Cyclone Ami relief.

The Labour Party senator, Felix Anthony, says the government's Disaster Management Council is itself a disaster.

Senator Anthony says while the rest of the country is pitching in to help during disasters, the government is busy doing assessments and it's weeks before any help is provided.

He says the government must ensure that money and assistance reach the victims and not end up in the pockets of the administrators