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MILK OF HUMAN KINDNESS: VHP (Fiji) steps in to help with funeral of Ba resident and ordinary citizens also step in to financially help with funeral of 16-year-old - both died during the height of Winston lashing Fiji!

25/2/2016

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Fijileaks: We like to serve notice that comments full of abuse will be rejected by our moderators!

Fijileaks: Many have taken to social media to vent anger that by centralizing relief distribution, Government is neglecting them; some even accusing regime of taking care of native Fijian koros only - they want Bainimarama government to allow all NGOs in and out of affected areas!

Family able to pay for daughter’s funeral after overwhelming support

Source: Fijivillage News

Rakiraki victims meet Bainimarama - some say "better late than never"

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WINSTON SLAMS $1BILLION BILL ON FIJI, SO FAR: Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum

25/2/2016

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Where are Fiji's trade unionists? So far, we have heard nothing from them

MESSIAH or MORON: Two contrasting judgments on Frank Bainimarama

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FLP: VAT AND DUTY DEMANDED FROM DONORS IS BURDENSOME; Many donors don't trust Government machinery to deliver aid fairly to the victims of all communities; this Bainimarama government is totally LOST!

25/2/2016

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"This government is absolutely lost. They have neither the capacity nor the ability to handle a crisis of this magnitude. There is no proper planning. The Prime Minister is going around distributing tons of food at villages he is visiting, much more than the immediate requirement while other desperate victims around the country are starving."

VAT and Duty demanded from Donors

Why are VAT and Duty exemptions not permitted on Cyclone Winston relief donations of food and other essential supplies sent by donors overseas to NGOs and charitable organisations?

A communication from the Planning and Aid Coordination Unit issued today said that to qualify for VAT and duty exemptions all donations must be channelled through the National Disaster Management Organisation (NDMO).
In the past exemptions were given to NGOs and charitable/religious organisations receiving relief supplies from abroad, subject to satisfying certain conditions stipulated by FRCA.

It is a fact that many private donors do not have confidence in the government machinery to deliver aid fairly to the victims of all communities. As such, they choose to direct their assistance through credible organisations of their choice.

By requiring the payment of VAT and Duty, the Bainimarama government is adding substantially to the cost to the donors thereby discouraging them from donating, and in turn, depriving the desperate victims of the assistance they so urgently need.

Why the departure from past practice this time around?

We urge the authorities to reconsider the matter and revert to previous practice.

We also suggest that VAT be exempted for local donors on purchase of food and other essential supplies for victims of the cyclone.

This is what FLP has been saying. This government is absolutely lost. They have neither the capacity nor the ability to handle a crisis of this magnitude. There is no proper planning. The Prime Minister is going around distributing tons of food at villages he is visiting, much more than the immediate requirement while other desperate victims around the country are starving.

Fiji Government: GUIDELINES FOR RECEIVING APPROVAL FOR DUTY AND VAT EXEMPTION

Due to the high volume of interest from overseas organisations and individuals, donors can now also request duty and VAT exemption directly from the Ministry of Finance. Items will be approved for exemption that can provide immediate relief for victims of Tropical Cyclone Winston.

In order to be approved for exemption, formal requests need to be submitted to Principal Economic Officer Mohammed Jabid via e-mail at mo[email protected] or via telephone (679) 932-5703.
Once an approval letter has been granted, shipments need to be addressed to:

(Name of the receipt individual or organisation) or (National Disaster Management Office)
C/ Attorney General and Minister for Finance
Ministry of Finance
The Government of Fiji
Suva

Upon shipment, donors need to provide the Airway Bill or Bill of Landing, an invoice of the value of goods being shipped and the approval letter granted by the Ministry of Finance.

Vehicles, jewellery and any normally prohibited items are not covered under this exemption.

We thank those overseas who are keen to donate relief materials to affected Fijians. The need in Fiji remains great, and the Fijian Government is working hard to meet the urgent needs of our people. Every donation makes a difference for those Fijians who have suffered from the devastation this storm has brought to our shores.

These guidelines are also available on the Fijian Government website

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MIRACLE in the aftermath of WINSTON'S MAYHEM: Church still standing!

25/2/2016

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This Church in Vuna Village, on Taveuni Island in FIJI, was miraculously spared from damage during the recent devastating Cyclone

Aben Dean: We will be distributing the package to ALL race and religions of people and will try out best to search the ones most affected and who need genuine support

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LEVUKA: Patterson Brothers shipping passengers visit their homeland!

25/2/2016

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STORMY ORDER: "Get out of Wailea" Bainimarama shouted at Rosy Akbar as she helped squatters during flooding on Saturday evening; her own house was damaged - Bainimarama and his military must be in news!

24/2/2016

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STORMY ORDER: Bainimarama wipes smiles off Akbar's face at Wailea

The preparation for 2018 election has begun - remember Aiyaz Khaiyum's D'Hondt Electoral System requires party leader to poll the highest number of votes and Bainimarama's political ducklings, even with 500 votes, will all end up as FijiFirst Party MPs in Parliament and as Cabinet Ministers. Rebellious MPs and Cabinet Ministers can be dumped, and those candidates who lost out, called up to replace them - for there is no by-election provision. There is no room for dissent in the dictatorship!
Bainimarama visits Nasinu, Silana, Nataleira and Driti cyclone victims

GROUNDED: Even Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum was no where to be seen!

HE was previously everywhere - on the ground and in the air

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SOLO MERCY FLIGHT TO VANUABALAVU: Suva businesswoman Eceli Rosa charters sea plane, loads up with supplies and family, and lands in Vanuabalavu; damage worst then seen in New Zealand aerial photos!

24/2/2016

7 Comments

"We were the first aircraft on the island. I was worried because there was no way to contact Vanuabalavu. The people there have nothing, the houses are gone. The pictures taken on the (NZAir Force) plane is nothing compared to what we saw...It is very sad to see the devastation up close. I'm glad to report everyone is alive but most are without homes."

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SODELPA calls for Volunteers and Resources after Cyclone Winston! The Party has also launched Hurricane and Disaster Relief APPEAL!

24/2/2016

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THE death toll from Winston has increased to 42; Sodelpa calls for Volunteers; THE Water Authority of Fiji has shut down its Raralevu Reservoir in Nausori due to a burst main at Waila. It said there is nil inflow to the reservoir and as such, water supply is being disrupted. Repair works on the burst main are underway and water carts are on standby to service the affected areas. The areas affected are:- upper and lower Nausori, Rewa, Bau, Southern Tailevu, Raralevu, Baulevu, Sawani, Davuilevu and nearby areas.DONATE to Fiji Red Cross

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-24/cyclone-winston:-14,000-people-in-evacuation/7195264

Following the massive destruction left behind by cyclone Winston, which many of the people of this country have not seen before, the Social Democratic Liberal Party is calling on volunteers to offer their services for rehabilitation works in areas where there are urgent needs.

Acting President Anare Jale stated that; â€œThe massive rehabilitation works required, needs everyone, and we cannot leave Government alone or the NGOâ€™s to provide the relief efforts. Sodelpa is calling on those wishing to offer their professional services to indicate so to the Sodelpa office, where preparations are now underway for volunteer efforts to be released shortly to assist communities rebuild their lives. We call on professionals and semi-professionals, retired civil servants from the Public Works Department, Department of Water and Sewerage, the FEA, retired nurses and teachers, carpenters, plumbers, and etc., to please register your services and join us and the rest of Fiji in providing relief efforts to areas worst affectedâ€, he said.

In the meantime, Sodelpa is also seeking support from those who may have access or own resources like chainsaws, extension cords, hammers and other similar items that they can lend to those needing them urgently at the moment.

â€œSodelpa is putting together a list of resources and as requests come in like those being received currently, they can be directed to those who indicate their ability to lend such resources, or their expertise themselves.â€ Jale said.

Authorised By: Anare Jale â€“ Vice President.
Mobile: 9991865

SODELPA LAUNCHES HURRICANE AND DISASTER RELIEF APPEAL

The SODELPA Party is joining the national effort to respond and provide practical support to victims of tropical cyclone Winston. Launching the appeal, Acting President Mr. Anare Jale said â€œWe sympathise with families who have lost loved ones and our thoughts and prayers are with hundreds who have lost all. No Fijian is not affected by the damages and disaster caused by TC Winston. The magnitude of the disaster experienced means this is a national responsibility, not one just left to Government officials alone and we are all needed to provide support.â€

The SODELPA Hurricane and Disaster Relief Appeal has been established under the auspices of a Special Committee chaired by Mr. Simi Rasova and a separate special bank account is being opened by the Party office.

The party has been notified of specific items that have been requested by the areas that have been badly hit and Party officials and SODELPA MPs have begun to pledge financial support. The party is calling on members and supporters and the general public to bring contributions in cash or kind to commence on Friday 26th February at the Party headquarters at 66 McGregor Road. This appeal will continue for the duration of 30 days state of national disaster.

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FRANK BAINIMARAMA: 'All donations must go through National Disaster Management Office...Government needs to ensure it goes to right people'

23/2/2016

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THE death toll from Winston has increased to 42

The remains of a home in Drauniivi Village, Ra but the Blue Banner Blue flutters defiantly

KORO ISLAND: The grim images of devastation everywhere on KORO:

A Toddler stands on the bed with the roof which was blown away at Drauniivi Village, Ra

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THE PHOTOS YOU WERE NOT SUPPOSED TO SEE: Islands Business Magazine (Fiji) accuses regime of not releasing the damage Winston inflicted on Vanuabalavu - the home of deposed Prime Minister Qarase

23/2/2016

19 Comments

Photos You Were Not Supposed to See

By Samisoni Pareti
Islands Business Magazine

First pictures out of a remote island in north-eastern Fiji show utter destruction caused by super-cyclone Winston over the weekend.

Unconfirmed reports speak of at least four fatalities on Vanuabalavu, home to 17 villages of more than 2000 people. It is also the home of former Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase.

Despite a Royal New Zealand Air Force Orion recon flight to the region last Sunday, no images -- for some unexplained reasons -- were released on Vanuabalavu. When asked, RNZAF referred all queries to its Foreign Affairs Ministry in Wellington which in turn said the identification of islands in the images was left with Fijian authorities.

These images were only released a short time ago through a pilot of a private plane that flew to the island today.

Images speak of utter destruction, of homes totally destroyed, and huge structures like churches reduced to rubbles. There is also no trace of the government built jetty, with a makeshift lake in the centre of the village of Lomaloma. It appeared from the photos that the island's east-line coast bore the brunt of the damage.

https://www.facebook.com/Islands-Business-290491571130816/?fref=photo

FLP stalwart Gaffar Ahmed in Ba: “I have seen no government officials or vehicles around. No attempt has been made by the PWD, the Roads Authority or the Fiji Electricity Authority to clear up the roads, remove fallen trees and debris or clear out fallen lines"

Fijileaks: We suggest get up, mobilize your 'legion' of FLP supporters to clear the debris, and ask your leader Mahendra Chaudhry to foot the bill from the $2million plus interests in Aussie and Kiwi bank accounts

The region most severely hit - along the northern coast from Rakiraki to at least rural Lautoka and its outer islands - is Fiji’s most prolific cane belt area and along with tourism, gold, timber and bottled water is economically the most productive. Most of Fiji’s top merchants have their headquarters in Ba.

Damage to infrastructure is substantial. Power poles and lines are down everywhere, cutting off communication with the town. The roads are still cluttered with fallen trees, blocking access to most areas.

“I have seen no government officials or vehicles around. No attempt has been made by the PWD, the Roads Authority or the Fiji Electricity Authority to clear up the roads, remove fallen trees and debris or clear out fallen lines.
“The way I see it, damage to infrastructure is so massive, it will take 2-3 months to fully restore power and water,” said Gaffar.

What about the human suffering? No relief of any form has gone out to the victims of the cyclone in the area, three days after Winston.

BROKEN TRUST: "I am struggling to convince potential Fijian and non-Fijian donors in the United Kingdom that whatever donations they make to us will go to the people and NOT into Mahendra Chaudhry's private bank account or in the FLP's "Cyclone Winston Fund" if one has been set up - for many here are very wary of me, wrongly assuming that I was part of the financial scam Chaudhry and his FLP entourage inflicted on them during his 2001 trip to London, and also when we raised and gave him thousands to help the 2003 Cyclone Ami victims" - VICTOR LAL

In solidarity: Heathrow airport, London, 2001

CYCLONE AMI RELIEF FUND
Where did thousands of dollars end up?
Victor Lal had based his "Cyclone Ami" article from the following bank statements and had sent Mr Chaudhry a copy for comments but as usual, Mr Chaudhry did not reply to the questions.

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Fijileaks: We like to serve notice that comments full of abuse will be rejected by our moderators!

Fijileaks: Many have taken to social media to vent anger that by centralizing relief distribution, Government is neglecting them; some even accusing regime of taking care of native Fijian koros only - they want Bainimarama government to allow all NGOs in and out of affected areas!

Family able to pay for daughter’s funeral after overwhelming support

Rakiraki victims meet Bainimarama - some say "better late than never"

Where are Fiji's trade unionists? So far, we have heard nothing from them

MESSIAH or MORON: Two contrasting judgments on Frank Bainimarama

GROUNDED: Even Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum was no where to be seen!

KORO ISLAND: The grim images of devastation everywhere on KORO:

CYCLONE AMI RELIEF FUNDWhere did thousands of dollars end up?Victor Lal had based his "Cyclone Ami" article from the following bank statements and had sent Mr Chaudhry a copy for comments but as usual, Mr Chaudhry did not reply to the questions.

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CYCLONE AMI RELIEF FUND
Where did thousands of dollars end up?
Victor Lal had based his "Cyclone Ami" article from the following bank statements and had sent Mr Chaudhry a copy for comments but as usual, Mr Chaudhry did not reply to the questions.