Distribution of Help for Home e-cards to begin tomorrow

The distribution of the first Help for Home Initiative e-cards will begin tomorrow till Saturday.

Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Rosy Akbar says that they will be officially moving out to the communities issuing the e-cards that will be pre-loaded with the approved amount for applicants to receive assistance.

Akbar says the main distribution centers for this week includes Suva, Tailevu, Naitasiri, Ba, Tavua, Ra, Lautoka, Bua, Cakaudrove and Taveuni.

12 priority areas that were most affected by the cyclone have been identified for the initiative which includes Tailevu, Rakiraki, Tavua, Ba, Lautoka, Nadi, Yasawa, Vanuabalavu, Taveuni, Qamea, Yacata, Cakaudrove, Bua, Naitasiri and the Lomaiviti Group.

More than 30,000 families across the affected areas will be reached.

Akbar says that the amount on the electronic pre‑loaded cards which is similar to Vodafone’s M‑PAISA, will depend on the extent of the damage sustained to the recipients’ homes.

Homes with partial roofing damage will receive $1,500, homes with complete roofing damage will receive $3,000 and homes that have been destroyed will receive $7,000.

Akbar says Informal Settlements will also be assisted with $1,500 for partial or complete damage.

She says community halls, churches, schools and those families who are renting a damaged home do not qualify under this initiative.

This initiative is for those whose household annual income falls below $50,000.

These households will be able to purchase the building materials from selected hardware outlets.

Government has allocated $70 million for this initiative.