FOOD supply is the next big worry for the 13,000 plus housed at evacuation centres in the West.

And this is especially true for the 6873 who have sought shelter in centres located around poverty-stricken Ra.

Most of the evacuees in this region lost their homes and everything in it during Severe TC Winston.

Whatever food they salvaged, if any, they have used over the past three days.

Majority of them have relied on the goodwill of neighbours or good Samaritans who have been kind enough to share what little they had.

Nayalayala district representative Maleli Bari said he had about eight families living in his home while another 48 families were living in the Togovere community hall.

“In Togovere, we had 48 homes that were damaged and all of the people who lost their homes are now in the community hall,” he said.

“Most of them lost everything, especially their electrical items, and most people escaped with just the clothes on their backs.

“Most of them came without any food so we are trying our best to feed everyone.”

Mr Bari said finding food was difficult because of the destruction caused by the cyclone.

“Most of our root crops are damaged and the little food we have are the ones we were able to save before some of the homes were destroyed.”

He said communication and transportation was difficult for the six villages within the district.

“I walked all the way from Togovere to Rakiraki Town to try and get help for our villagers.

“It took me about two-and-half- hours to get here.”

He said people were desperate and worried about how they were going to feed themselves.

Drauniivi Primary School head- teacher Selina Dakuwaqa said the free milk and cereal for Year 1 students were given to young children at the evacuation centre.

She said the school’s supply ran out after two days.

Commissioner Western Manasa Tagicakibau said people in evacuation centres should have enough food supply to last three days before relief was provided by Government.

“People should have food rations for three days when they seek shelter in evacuation centres and after the third day, Government assistance rolls in,” he said.

“At present, we are working out the number of people — men, women and children — so that we have all the relevant data to enable us to get food rations to urgently meet their needs.”