The Fijian Government is focused on rebuilding homes damaged during Severe Tropical Cyclone Harold in the Suva lockdown area to minimise the risk of the spread of COVID-19, says Housing and Community Development Minister Premila Kumar.
“Our most urgent priority now is to rebuild within the Suva lockdown area to enable families to live in their own homes and avoid the risk of spreading of COVID-19 in our informal settlements and Waidamudamu is our focus right now,” she said.
Mrs Kumar said a team from the ministry had carried out an assessment of informal settlements in the Suva lockdown area and confirmed that seven homes in Waidamudamu had suffered significant damage to their roofs from strong winds and a further 59 houses also sustained damage that were now being repaired.
“With the exception of two families, most of the residents have returned to their homes,” she said.
“The ministry conducted detailed assessments of the seven homes and is making arrangements to assist these families to withdraw funds from the Fiji National Provident Fund to buy necessary materials.
“The ministry will also assist in the procurement of materials and will deploy a team of carpenters from the ministry team and the Public Rental Board (PRB) maintenance team to assist in the rebuilding efforts.”
She also said 59 families affected could also approach the ministry if they required assistance and this would be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Mrs Kumar said Waidamudamu was being upgraded by Government to improve the quality of life of the 270 families who lived there.
“The construction work is progressing well and after completion, the residents will be issued with a 99-year lease.”
