Two families who lost all their belongings in a fire in Vatudradra, Sigatoka earlier this month have been given cash cheques of $1,000 each through the Fire Victims Relief Fund of the Department of Social Welfare which is intended to provide immediate relief like food and new clothing and basic needs.
56-year-old Rajendra Kumar says he was grateful to the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation and Minister Rosy Akbar for visiting them with a few Ministry officers and this demonstrates Fijian Government’s commitment and quick response to assist the needy families in Fiji.
He says they have been informed that they will be assisted with funds to help them buy the basic items for their family.
Purnal Naidu who was the second recipient was in tears because of the surprise visit from Akbar.
She says this will assist them in buying their basic needs.
While handing over the cheques,Akbar says the Ministry will also work with stakeholders to try and get assistance to help them rebuild their house.
Akbar says losing your home to a fire is one of the most traumatic experiences any family or person can have and the incidence of house fires is a national problem and especially a crippling burden for low-income earners whose homes are destroyed.
The Minister says the Ministry will go out of its way to assist families like this to help rebuild their lives.
She says assistance is based on fire assessment reports from the National Fire Authority and the verification done by welfare officers.
Akbar is also urging families to take serious safety measures to protect themselves and their properties against the risk of fire and for everyone to take every possible step to avoid fires in the first place.
A total of 23 fire victim's cases were assisted with the $1,000 grant assistance and a total of $23,000 was utilised for the first quarter of the 2022-2023 fiscal year.
