YARO villagers on Kia Island in Macuata received no form of Government assistance to rebuild their homes after Tropical Cyclone Yasa devastated the village in December 2020.
Kia youth representative Maleli Qera said Yaro was among the villages heavily impacted by the Category 5 cyclone, which struck Fiji on December 17, 2020.
“This village was one of the villages heavily impacted by Tropical Cyclone Yasa,” he said.
Of the 38 homes at Yaro, Mr Qera said only about four were left standing after the cyclone.
“These homes that were left standing were partially destroyed. This is apart from the community hall and the church.”
He said the cyclone also destroyed the villagers’ livelihoods, wiping out all their crops, damaging 11 fishing boats, and washing away essential fishing equipment.
“The villagers received no form of assistance to rebuild their homes. These villagers fundraised and used money from their pockets to rebuild their homes.”
Fishing remains the main source of income for the community, and Mr Qera asked whether the Ministry of Youth and Sports could assist the youth of the village with a boat.
Youth and Sports Minister Jese Saukuru said the ministry offers several types of assistance programs that the local youth could access.
Mr Saukuru said the village youth should form a co-operative to become eligible for more structured support from the Government.
