MORE than 24,000 people benefited from the operations of Habitat for Humanity, Fiji.

National director Masi Latianara confirmed this after receiving a $5000 grant from the Vinod Patel Foundation.

Mr Latianara said HFH provided housing assistance projects nationwide worth $15million.

“Anchored by the conviction that housing provides a path out of poverty, Habitat Fiji has helped more than 24,600 Fijians since 1991. We have spent about $1m in the North and about $15m for the country as a whole in the last eight years,” Mr Latianara said.

He said the response from the communities was overwhelming.

“Habitat for Humanity Fiji is more than glad to assist the families in need, as our vision is to see all Fijian families have a decent place to live. We appreciate the enthusiasm and support provided to our team and we continue to receive more requests for such assistance.

” HFH Fiji has two main programme areas – WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) and shelter.”

Mr Latianara said the main aim of the shelter program was to provide decent and adequate housing, structurally sound and cyclone proof for low income earners.

He said apart from assistance to providing adequate housing, their WASH program improved the living condition of communities in need by providing them with reliable water systems.

“As part of the program, each community is also provided with training on the operation and maintenance of the water system, water resource protection and conservation and proper hygiene.”

For that Mr Latianara said assistance was given to Northern communities in Lagi, Doguru and Naikelikoso in 2015.

“Other areas under the water program for the country include Vorovoro, Luvunavuwaka, Driti, Nasinu, Raravatu and Naivivuli. For the North, we have spent about $360,000 for the water projects and for the country as a whole, approximately $2.3m with support from partners such as the EU, New Zealand Aid Programme, Government of Japan and Australian Aid.”

He said the provision of shelter and water to communities was a huge financial and social relief that all families in poverty struggled with.

Some of the project locations include Yako, Dratabu, Nawaka/ Nadraka settlement, Vatutu, Solovi, Saravi, Maqalevu, Navakai, Legalega, Savolau, Votualevu, Sabeto, Saweni, Velovelo, Matawalu, Saru backroad and Naviogo to name a few.