Seruiratu has accused us of only helping members of one political party but the people we assist know differently – Sashi Kiran

Seruiratu has accused us of only helping members of one political party but the people we assist know differently – Sashi Kiran

By Shanil Singh
Sunday 13/02/2022
Image: file

FRIEND Fiji CEO Sashi Kiran says Minister for Disaster Management Inia Seruiratu has accused them of not working with his Ministry and helping members of only one political party, however thousands of people who they have helped, and those who have donated and volunteered for FRIEND know differently.

Kiran says on 9th January when flood waters rose rapidly and things began to get worse, they were told that families had not brought food to the evacuation centres.

She says they received requests from evacuation centres in Nadi, Lautoka, Ba, Nadarivatu, Nakorotubu and Sigatoka for food, sanitisers and masks.

Kiran says they usually plan ahead by pre-positioning stocks in affected areas and do not know why the National Disaster Management Office cannot do the same thing and why the NDMO only starts ordering relief supplies after the disaster as Seruiratu stated.

She says as an NGO it is hard for them to raise funds for disaster relief without the NDMO’s approval.

Kiran says they were fortunate that they received funds from the family of the late Professor Brij Lal and his family had asked people at his funeral to make donations to FRIEND.

The CEO says they dispatched supplies with all the District Officers which includes 253 packs for Lautoka, 180 for Ba, 25 for Ra, 10 for Nadarivatu, 70 for Sigatoka and 100 for Nadi.

Kiran says all the pick up and distribution was done by District Offices and they have dispatch forms signed and pictures of government officials receiving the supplies.

She also says FRIEND Fiji did not visit Ba communities at all as Seruiratu had claimed and the Minister should show evidence if he has any.

Kiran says their team remains very responsive in Nadi because they know families are struggling after the pandemic.

She says the decision on who receives food packs rests with advisory councillors and they cannot choose people based on which political party they support.

Kiran adds Seruiratu had also mentioned the Nawajikuma area where he saw a crowd during his trip on 12th January and claimed only NFP supporters were receiving food there.

She says she has checked with the advisory councillor in the areas and he has told Kiran that two other charities distributed food in the area.

Kiran says she had called Seruiratu on that day to discuss the situation however he did not answer or call back.

She says after Seruiratu’s claims, hopefully the affected people would now realize why they ask them to come through advisory councillors before they can mobilize to assist after each disaster.

Kiran says Seruiratu has worked closely with FRIEND when he was Minister of Agriculture and if he has a problem with FRIEND, then he has Kiran’s phone number.

She says they did not hear anything wrong until Seruiratu spoke in Parliament.

Kiran says communities in the west have suffered badly over the past weeks and Seruiratu needs to inform the people when they will get assistance instead of being petty.

Seruiratu had earlier told us that his comments were aimed at the NFP and not FRIEND because he knows the work FRIEND does and they are a key partner when it comes to humanitarian work.

He also questioned why FRIEND has been distributing food outside of the areas allocated by the Commissioner Western.

We have sent further questions to Seruiratu regarding the recent comments by Kiran.

He is yet to respond.

FEATURE NEWS
It’s a tragedy that Fiji has been ruled by decrees - Fatiaki
The last set of military coups, removed democratically elected governments, including how the laws are made, and it’s a real tragedy that we were ru...
1 hour ago
LATEST NEWS
Fijian exports to US to become more expensive as Trump announces 32% tariff
Fijian products being imported into the United States will be more expensive as President Trump has announced a 32 percent tariff on Fiji, along with ...
1 hour ago

Rheumatic heart surgeries need to continue at CWM Hospital – Dr Kapadia
Renowned General and Interventional Cardiologist Dr Vijay Kapadia, based at the Gold Coast University Hospital in Australia, has stressed the need ...
2 hours ago

4 people still admitted at CWM Hospital after Queen Elizabeth Drive accident
4 occupants of the vehicle that was involved in an accident along the Queen Elizabeth Drive yesterday are still admitted at the CWM ...
3 hours ago

Rainfall recorded in Vatukacevaceva, Waimanu, Monasavu hydro and Korovou surpasses 50mm
Fijians living in and along Vatukacevaceva in Ra, Waimanu and Monasavu Hydro in Naitasiri and Korovou in Tailevu should continue to be cautious as ...
3 hours ago

Man in his 60’s dies following accident in Nasinu last night
A man in his 60’s has died following a road accident in Nasinu last night. Police say the man while crossing the Yasiyasi Road near the Valelevu ...
4 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Swire Shipping Fijian Drua Coach, Glen Jackson appear on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
Swire Shipping Fijian Drua Coach, Glen Jackson appeared on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan from the Drua base in Nadi. Coming off ...
3 hours ago

Reverend Tugi on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
Watch the General Secretary of Fiji Evangelical Fellowship, Reverend Simione Tugi on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay ...
35 days ago

fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan and William Parkinson
Chairman of Communications Fiji Limited, parent company of FM96, LegendFM, VitiFM, Navtarang, Radio Sargam, fijivillage and PNGFM, William Parkinson ...
36 days ago

TOP