Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Rosy Akbar during her visit to the fire victims in Howell Road.Photo:SUPPLIED.
The Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation has reached out to families in Suva who are trying to rebuild their lives following the horrific fire incident that occurred last week.
Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Rosy Akbar and the Permanent Secretary Dr Josefa Koroivueta visited the families in Howell Road this morning and looked at ways of providing assistance to them.
The family conveyed that they are in dire need of clothes and food supply. Minister Akbar revisited the family this afternoon providing them with a proper tent, mattresses, pillows, blankets, clothes, cooking stove and utensils. The Ministry has also liaised with the Nadi Rotary Club and RC Manubhai to organise similar assistance to be provided to the affected families.
Minister Akbar said the Ministry will go out of its way to assist these families in rebuilding their lives. The Women’s Minister also added that through a partnership with relevant stakeholders, the Ministry will look at ways to further assist these families.
The Ministry is also calling on potential donors to come forward and provide support in whichever way they can to help these families.
68 year old Shiu Mati who has lived in Howell Road for more than 10 years is one of the six families who was affected by the fire. Ms Mati has thanked the Fijian Government for its swift response to address the plight of her family.
“We are truly grateful to Minister Akbar for the care and concern that she has shown towards the welfare of our families. After our house burnt down, we had been living in a tent and and the Minister’s visit here today has shown that we are not alone.
“We will work together with the Ministry to regain what we have lost and we have our faith in this government which has proven to be truly committed to helping the underprivileged people,” Ms Mati said.
Similarly, the Ministry also assisted 31 year old Mereseini Veqali through the Fire Victims Relief Assistance grant.
“I have seven members in my family and we moved into Howell road, two months ago. I was at work when the fire started and we couldn’t save anything. Currently we are living at one of our church member’s house. We are appreciative of government’s assistance to help us meet our basic needs of survival,” Ms Veqali said.
Meanwhile, National Fire Authority continues with its investigations to determine the cause of the fire.
Press Release