The National Disaster Management Office says they will now work with their emergency operators to get schools that were used as evacuation centers cleaned.

Director Anare Leweniqila says this is important to ensure that classrooms and halls are ready for when students return for term 1.

“The main focus is to just get the schools cleaned and ensure that they are ready for the start of the new school year – these are the ones that are being used as evacuation centres. There’s special instructions to the team at divisional commissioners to ensure evacuees return once it’s safe and for the school to be cleaned and prepared.”

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry is taking a lead role in the inspection of evacuation centers.

Health Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete

Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete says they are visiting Fijians in these centres to ensure they have access to safe drinking water and food.

“The most important thing now is ensuring on a family basis – which we have clean and safe water to drink. We are also making sure that evacuation facilities is clean and safe. And also making sure that the food is actually is nice healthy food.” 

Meanwhile, NDMO says the main focus now is also for divisional commissioners to carry out damage assessments and ensure evacuees are given efficient rations.