Caption:Government officials pictures with members of the Vutia community as food is being distributed.Photo:SUPPLIED.
The National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) last week distributed over 370 food ration packages to four villages in the district of Vutia, Rewa.
Villagers from Muana-i-Ra, Vutia, Rewa, with food rations for their families.
NDMO Acting Director, Mr. Akapusi Tuifagalele said that the four villages – Narocivo, Laucala, Muanai-i-cake-, and Muana-i-ra – needed food rations because the people had been cut off from a primary food source due to the fishing ban.
“The resulting Environmental Emergency Declaration from the sewage spill in Cunningham led to a fishing ban in certain waters including the Rewa River mouth.
“The surrounding waters which has been a primary food source for Vutia is now restricted. Their food security was affected and they sought Government’s help. We’ve managed to distribute 237 food packages for adults and 135 for children,” Mr Tuifagalele emphasized.
He added that each adult received 8kg rice, 4kg sugar, 2kg dhal, 4kg flour, 1 liter cooking oil, 4 cans tinned fish, and 4 cans of tinned meat, while each child received 4 kg rice, 4kg sugar, 2kg dhal, 4kg flour, 1 packet powdered milk, 2 cans tinned fish, and 2 cans tinned meat.
Mr Tuifagalele said that the assistance provided was sourced from the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation Fund.
“Over $28,000 was made available from the Prime Minister’s Office, while the NDMO together with the Provincial Administrator Rewa headed the work on the ground.”
The NDMO said that more operations like these will depend on a needs basis only.
DEPTFO