GOVERNMENT has distributed food rations and relief supplies to about 80 per cent of areas affected by Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston.

Director National Disaster Management Office Akapusi Tuifagalele said they hoped to cover the remaining areas by the end of this week or early next week.

“We are using air, land and sea transportation to get to areas where people have not received any forms of assistance,” Mr Tuifagalele said.

“For the interior of Viti Levu, especially the areas in Rakiraki, parts of Taveuni and other remote areas that were not being able to be assisted by road, food rations and other supplies are being airlifted to them from Nausori.”

The HMAS Canberra is stationed in Lomaiviti waters, ready to assist Severe TC Winston victims in the group.

He said the HMNZS Canterbury from New Zealand, which arrived yesterday, would also help people in Lau and Southern Vanua Levu.

“We are positive that within a few days, we should be able to cover the rest of the areas that have not been provided with rations yet,” Mr Tuifagalele said.