THE Government has announced $70 million for the Help for Homes Initiative to rebuild houses damaged or destroyed by Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston.
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama launched the initiative yesterday and said affected households would receive a prepaid electronic card with a set amount of money for building material purchases.
“This initiative is designed to benefit affected Fijians who do not have the means to finance repairs on their own, households whose annual income falls under $50,000 a year,” Mr Bainimarama said.
“The amount on the card will depend on the amount of damage to people’s homes.
“A $1500 limit for partial roofing damage, a $3000 limit for serious roofing damage and a $7000 limit for almost or completely demolished homes.”
The e-card will be issued by the Ministry of Social Welfare in May with funds redeemed by June 30.
Mr Bainimarama said the individuals would not be restricted to purchasing from only one hardware outlet and added that copies of the Fiji Institute of Engineers-issued building code guidelines would be provided upon purchases.
“These guidelines will help build better, more resilient homes by showing Fijians, for example, how to properly strap down their roofing.”
The FIE, according to Mr Bainimarama, is helping Government “future proof Fiji with engineering and building standards appropriate to the challenging new era we are facing due to the effects of climate change — increased flooding and more frequent and devastating cyclones”.
The PM has urged only Fijians in genuine need to apply for the initiative because spot checks would be carried out by the audit teams from the Ministry of Finance once the electronic cards have been distributed.
He said assistance provided to Fijians transporting their hardware supplies to maritime areas would be announced in the coming weeks.
Mr Bainimarama said the initial $70m available for this initiative could be revised depending on how many applications were received and how much donor assistance was provided.
