Government should first be held accountable for previous cyclone relief assistance before they try to point fingers at how civil society organisations and others have assisted people during natural disasters, says Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre co-ordinator Shamima Ali.
She was responding to a National Disaster Management Office statement that all assistance be directed through Government and anyone using Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasa to gain profit would be prosecuted.
Ms Ali said getting people to apply for permits for STC Yasa was needed during this time but it was “uncomfortable” to have Government monitoring the assistance.
She said if Government started controlling the assistance then people would not be able to reach out to all those affected.
“The civil society organisations have been getting calls from places where Government has not even reached,” she said.
“It’s obvious that Government is grandstanding and shedding tears for photo ops in cyclone-affected areas.”
Her sentiments were shared by National Federation Party leader Prof Biman Prasad.
“It is ridiculous to threaten people with jail time when they are doing their best to help,” he said.
Prof Prasad was referring to NDMO director Vasiti Soko’s warning that people could be prosecuted for “unjustifiable exploitation of a disaster for profit” and be fined $2000 or imprisoned for 12 months or both.
“Things have now reached the height of stupidity.
The Government is now threatening to put people in prison if they raise funds for cyclone relief.
“Threatening our own people is not how you build a successful disaster response.”
