January 2009 Flood Relief
by Ramakrishna Mission, Fiji – 1^st Report

Due to prolonged torrential rains, the Western parts of Viti Levu (Raki Raki, Tavua, Ba, Lautoka, Nadi and Singatoka) experienced some of the worst flooding in decades, resulting in great damage and suffering. Towns and settlements were submerged for days as people were stranded without food and water.

Ramakrishna Mission, Fiji started its Flood relief operations from 13^th January 2009 even when areas were still under water. The following is a short report of the services so far as the relief operations continue:-

a)   Cooked food

During the floods cooked food (khitchuri) was distributed to evacuation centres at Lovu Primary School camp, Pentacost Church camp (Lautoka) and Andrews primary school, Namotomoto koro, Navoci village (Nadi). About 750 meals were served.

b)   ‘Family Grocery Packs’

As families began to return to their homes, we started door-to-door distribution of ‘Family Grocery Packs’ containing rice, dhal, potatoes, biscuits, milk, salt, tea etc.  So far food items worth about $10,000 have been distributed to more than 1,000 families in the following areas:

Nadi: Navakai settlement, Narewa, Namotomoto koro, Navoci village, Qeleloa, Togomasi, Salovi, Korovutu settlement, Sikaturu Village, Nawaka Village, Moala Koro, Vuniyasi, Lake Side;

Ba:     Nakavu, Nasau, Navatu, Etatoko, Mataniqara, Natutu, Nawaqarau, Elavuka, Varoka villages.

We have almost completed the distribution of the following quantities of food items: Potatoes: 740 kgs, Breakfast cracker biscuits: 1200 packets, dhal: 550 kgs, Rice: 2100 kgs, Milk powder: 96 packets, liquid milk: 1,080 litre packets, Salt: 100 pkts, Tea; 250 pkts, Mineral water: 500 bottles.

We continue to supply grocery packets from the Ashrama to needy families who are still struggling to make ends meet and this will go on for some months.

Ramakrishna Mission started medical camp services in flood affected areas. The first medical camp was held 31^st January 2009 at Navakai settlement in the HART Community Centre. Three reputed doctors treated 53 patients and free medicine was dispensed by Mr Prakash Chauhan of Thakorlal Pharmacy of Lautoka.

The second camp was conducted on Saturday, 7^th Feb in a heavily flood affected area at Nawaka District School. A total of 112 patients were treated and given free medication, compliments of Thakorlal Pharmacy, Lautoka.

The Ramakrishna Mission’s medical team plans to continue visiting affected areas and treating the sick who cannot afford medicines or treatment.

The schools opened on 27^th January 2009. Many families have been directly or indirectly affected by the floods and are struggling to send their children to school. We have identified and decided to take care of four schools (3 in Sabeto area & 1 near Nadi town) and are in the process of supplying school fees, uniform, books, stationery etc. We are coordinating with the school staff and the Department of Education, Lautoka to ensure that there is no duplication and that the aid reaches the deserving students. 

Relief materials donated by people settled in New Zealand and Australia has begun to arrive and some donors have requested Ramakrishna Mission, Fiji to handle the distribution of the same. A container of materials has already reached us aw have set our base camp in the Swami Vivekananda College. We plan to mobilise our College staff, students and volunteers to distribute the materials over the weekend. This is an opportunity to involve and give an exposure to our students in philanthropic activities.

Other organisations such as Rotary, Lion’s Club etc have come forward to coordinate and work with the Ramakrishna Mission.

Bank: Westpac; Branch: Nadi, Fiji

BSB: 039004;  Account No: 9802071598;   SWIFT Code: WPACFJFX

"Vinaka vaka Levu” (Thank you) to all who came forth to join us in this Worship of the living God!!