The Foundation for Rural Integrated Enterprises and Development (FRIEND) Fiji delivered water tanks to settlements affected by low water supply in Lautoka yesterday.
The non-governmental organisation responded to calls for assistance from residents and delivered 5300-litre water tanks to Bila settlement where 31 families were without water and electricity as a result of the damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Cody.
FRIEND Fiji director Sashi Kiran said the community was situated beside a river and was flooded during the recent heavy downpour.
“They are cleaning debris now and the water tank will assist them with storing of carted water or to collect rain water,” she said.
“This assistance is from the Global Network Disaster Risk Reduction program through FRIEND Fiji.”
She said a water tank was also delivered to a community in Lovu.
“Many communities are facing water shortages with disruption due to the flood. A community at Lovu seaside was delivered a water tank to ensure families had access to water as requests were made for water carting.”
The NGO has also been visiting evacuation centres that were activated for families affected by the floods.
“Eleven evacuation centres in Ba received masks and sanitisers so far. Every effort is being made to ensure that COVID safety is maintained at evacuation centres. We have also delivered food rations to families affected and we are continuing to visit these centres to find out if more people will need assistance.”
