Health Ministry staff making their assessment on Draubuta villages

The 16 families from Navosa who were displaced after continuous rainfall in the past three weeks will soon have a new home.

The Rural Development Ministry has confirmed that a piece of land has been identified and talks are underway to relocate the families.

The heavy rainfall has caused a massive sand and gravel avalanche into Draubuta Village, Navosa in the upper-reaches of the Sigatoka River.

The Ministry through District Officer Navosa, Jovesa Naqarikau is coordinating the assistance and the assessment that has been made by various government stakeholders in the village.

Naqarikau said that officials from the National Disaster Management Office, Fiji Roads Authority, Agriculture and the Water Authority of Fiji have visited the village and had conducted their assessment.

The Agricultural officers will be making their recommendations for the next course of action to be pursued. The Ministry of Health officials have fumigated the village and also assessed the possibility of an outbreak of diseases and awareness has been carried out.

He adds the FRA had cleared the debris and soil sediments in the houses and also assessed the road condition, the village compound and machines are now being deployed to clear debris and soil sediments.

Naqarikau confirms that the Fiji Red Cross Society has provided assistance with household’ items, dignitary kits and clothes.

Meanwhile the Water Authority officials have been deployed to assess damage sustained to the water system while the Commissioner Western Division has organised for more clothes to be delivered to the village early next week.