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FNUGATE: Internal audit accused Berlin Kafoa of intending to abuse and defraud Fiji National University - he and acting VC Ian Rouse under fire!

16/6/2015

35 Comments

 
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We will be taking a DESERVED BREAK, for Fijileaks Editors will be in New York from 16-23 June 2015!


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1.0 Introduction
Audit was requested by the Vice Chancellor [Ganesh Chand] to investigate the usage of Credit Card facilities maintained at CMNHS Project Office held by the Dean Professor Rouse and Dr. Berlin Kafoa.

A list of transaction was provided by the Director Finance for which the acquittals had to be verified against its usage. These transactions are the payments made to clear off the Credit Card Expenses. Audit requested for the acquittals from the Project Finance Officer, Ms. Jocelyn Prasad and was provided with only few acquittals while the rest were not available.

2.1.2 Credit Card Holder – Project Office Team Leader, Dr. Berlin Kafoa

A list of transaction for Dr. Berlin’s Credit Card payment was provided to Ms. Jocelyn to submit the acquittals. Refer to attachment 1 (b) for individual details of each transaction. Tabulated below are the summary details of the monthly transactions:
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The above table shows that credit card payment of $19,248.34 made on the 5th of March 2010 was partly acquitted.

Audit further noted that a local transfer lodgment receipt was provided for the expenditure payment of $202.95 to Tappoos Duty Free in Nadi Airport by Dr. Berlin from the 29th April to 30th May 2010.

It was also noted that Ms. Jocelyn Prasad the Project Finance Officer lied and misled audit when she stated in her cover page that full acquittals were provided for four credit card transactions when in actual fact audit discovered that these four were incomplete as some receipts were still yet to be acquitted till to date.

These are the only acquittals that could be obtained for Dr. Berlin and Prof Rouse Credit Cards while only copies of the bank statements were provided for the other requested payments.
According to Ms. Jocelyn that those are the only acquittals in the files and therefore other acquittals were not submitted to the Project Finance Office or are missing.

The request for acquittals for all the transactions were made on the 26th of September, 2013 and audit managed to obtain those available on the 18th of October, 2013 after a lapse of more than 3 weeks and yet all acquittals were not available.

2.2 Incomplete and Non Acquittals of Expenses

Audit investigation revealed that majority of the expenses incurred were not acquitted at all and some were only partly acquitted. Instead of attaching the receipts as the usual practice to account for the expenses incurred, the normal trend in the College of Medicine was the letters were written under the Fiji School of Medicine letter head confirming that the credit card holder with card numbers had incurred the said expenditures. This is normally done for Dr Berlin. Audit could not consider such letters as the actual acquittals and is totally unacceptable. Refer to attachment 5 for some examples.

In the absence of the proper receipts and using the letters as acquittal receipt is unacceptable and reflects the negligent and laxity attitude of the Dr Berlin and the Project Finance Officer, Ms Jocelyn. This also indicates that some expenses incurred could have been for personal use and abuse by the card holders.

It is the responsibility of both the Card Holders and Ms. Jocelyn to ensure that receipts for each transaction are filed and maintained properly.

2.3 Credit Card Usage
2.3.1 Dr. Berlin Credit Card, number 4999-6400-0009-0686


Audit noted that the Credit Card, number 4999-6400-0009-0686, held by Dr. Berlin was used at Tappoos Duty Free Shop Nadi Airport on 21st May, 2010 for a value of $202.95. Investigation for the credit card usage started on the 2nd of October 2012 and it was during that period on 21st of December, 2012 that Dr Berlin reimbursed those expenses via local transfer request after 2 and half years. Refer to attachment 6 for details.

From the analysis carried out by audit, it was certain that Dr. Berlin had used the card for his personal use and that was the reason he reimbursed the amount when audit queried. The important point to note here is that the INTENTION of Dr Berlin was to abuse and defraud the University for his personnel gain/use even though the monetary value involved is immaterial in nature. Had the audit not carried out the investigation, Dr Berlin would not have reimbursed those expenses.

On 4th September, 2010, another transaction was carried out at the Tappoos Duty Free Shop at Nadi Airport totaling $169.85 by Dr. Berlin but no acquittal was provided to verify the expense. Similarly, the credit card was also used at Traps Restaurant in Suva on the 27th August, 2010 for an amount of $22.00 but no receipt or reasons for its usage was provided.

Dr. Berlin failed to maintain financial accountability on the use of the University’s Credit Card Facility.

The offence committed by Dr. Berlin is very serious in nature and is a clear abuse of powers and office. There is zero tolerance for the offence committed and urgent action needs to be taken as there may be more abuse but cannot be detected due to non -availability of acquittal reports.


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2.3.2 Deans [Ian Rouse] Credit Card, number 4999-6400-0009-0694

Audit verified the Credit Card statements of Dean Rouse and noted that few transactions may not be work related. Tabulated below are few transactions made from the Credit Card for which acquittals are also not done:

The purpose for the transactions could not be obtained since acquittals are not provided. Expenses committed at Tappoo Duty Free Shop, Leiola Duty Free Shop and the Bad Dog Cafe gives a lot of suspicion that such transactions were committed for personal use. Refer to attachment 8 for the statements.

Other transactions from the statements were mostly for airline ticket, accommodation, catering and restaurant (local and foreign) and payment for conference venues.

The negligence and laxity on the parts of the Credit Card holder, Dean CMNHS, for not properly acquitting all the expenses is very serious in nature. There needs to be tight controls where Credit Card is in use to avoid unnecessary loss to the University.

The acquittals had been provided for only 1 month for both the credit cards while there were no acquittals for the other months of 2010. One confirmed misuse of the Credit Card by Dr. Berlin was determined through the acquittal provided and this has brought thoughts that there is other misuse which we cannot confirm without the acquittal. Serious action needs to be taken to bring this practice to halt to safeguard the University’s useful funds.

The payment from the credit cards was made without any considerations of the University regulations and therefore these spending were subject to abuse since there was no form of accountability.

Recommendations:

 The Credit Card holders, Dean CMNHS and Dr. Berlin, should be severely disciplined for not acquitting all the expenses incurred;

 Ms. Jocelyn should be disciplined for not following up on the acquittals since 2010 and for providing misleading information to audit;

 Proper acquittals should be done each month for each expense committed and checked by a responsible officer;

 For those pending acquittals, a statutory declaration should be done to acquit the expenditure;

 Abuse of credit cards for personnel use should be seriously dealt with.
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Fijileaks: More revelations to follow - how Chand, Rouse, Berlin allegedly tried to defraud European Union over the Kiri Fund!

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35 Comments
rajend naidu
15/6/2015 01:40:31 am

Editor,
Talking about abuse the mob in Fiji are small fries really.
Today the day of the marking of the 800 year anniversary of the Magna Carta which laid the foundation for the rule of law and it's preimmenience couldn't have been a better day to receive news that Sudan's ruler since 1989 Oman al Bashir has been stop by a court in South Africa from leaving the country where the tyrannical ruler ruler was attending a a Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation meeting organised by the African Union. Bashir is wanted by the International criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity. But the brutal ruler was carrying on business as usual - which is often the way business is conducted in international/ diplomatic politics. With shameful hypocrisy !
It is therefore something of a surprise to learn Bashir has been stopped in South Africa through court action taken by civil society ( Aljazeera news 15/06).
Rulers who abuse their power must face justice. I am all for the ICC going after Bashir. they should be going after lots more - from first world democracies.
Sincerely,
Rajend Naidu
Sydney

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Basdeo
15/6/2015 04:57:52 am

This is Fijileaks, not Wikileaks. Please could you stick to the topic? Sincerely, a concerned reader.

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And
15/6/2015 07:09:03 pm

It takes special intelligence - like the capacity to read in between the lines - to get the message/ meaning inherent in a contribution such as the one above. You lack that special intelligence Bass deo Babu

Shannon
15/6/2015 05:22:11 am

Dear Editor,

Rajend really needs to stick to the topic. It is apparent that nothing in his comment relates to the article. One ca only wonder why he bothered commmenting at all. Magna Carta is about as relevant or important to the ordinary Fijians as a bird fart in the wind.

For my part, the allegations of such a massive corruption in the FNU is shocking and people such as Ganesh as well as Ian need to be hauled before an independent commission and investigated. If found guilty, it needs to involve the law. If we can make such a big deal about the NBF saga and Agriculture scam, this matter should not be allowed to be swept under the carpet. Surely there is ONE journalist or media outlet with the courage to bring this to the fore? Where has investigative journalism gone to in Fiji? Have the journalists all sided with the people with the proverbial gold coins in their pockets?

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Dekho
15/6/2015 05:34:39 pm

Great leaders like Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi quoted the Magna Carta and intellectual imbeciles in Fiji say it has no relevance to Fiji and the rule of law and due process there.
What idiots!

TOTALLY IRRELEVANT
15/6/2015 04:01:03 am

I wonder what Mr Naidu writes is of any relevance to issues under discussion. Its absolute joke to remind the current Fijian government about the magna carta and the rule of law because they
simply don't give a hoot.

Equally, the people of Fiji are not interested in the ICC, Bashir and
the rest of Naidu's garbage.

Please comment on the current issues facing Fiji and published by Fijileaks.

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maro pito
15/6/2015 05:00:09 am

TOTALLY IRRELEVANT if you stand close to rajend naidu's article and watch, it matches with bai kais behavior.

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Fiji is full of Crooks
15/6/2015 06:27:50 am

..and so it came to pass that all commentators started to comment on Rajen Naidu's post instead of commenting on the article about misuse of credit cards at FNU.

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Welcome Home
15/6/2015 08:23:23 am

No wonder at all that tertiary institutions are so sorely exercised by poor and shoddy governance when the level and the calibre of thought deployed is so mediocre. Of course the Sudanese President Al Bashir and Darfur and the dilatory action of South Africa to prevent his departure in the face of a Court Order to detain him have relevance now globally. Of course FIFA and the hideous Sepp Blatter and his hangers on are of particular interest now that Red Notices are issued by Interpol forcing the odd alleged perpetrator of abuse of power to hand himself in. The failure to make such connection and to clearly identify the gaps in governance have dragged FIJI to an uncomfortable place. Much more of interest to come up soon in closely connected location. and if you fail to see the relevance of Magna Carta, its historical importance to human rights from feudal times, then poor you!

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Chiku
15/6/2015 05:01:07 pm

Fiji is full of Toads in the Well. That's why they can't connect with things happening in the rest of the global village.

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Piku
16/6/2015 02:57:35 pm

What's the connection chiku between whats happening at FNU/USP and whats happening in Sudan ?

Can you come out of the well and explain, please.

Chiku
18/6/2015 04:27:43 pm

The connection is very straightforward. Both relate to ABUSE of POWER, abuse of position, abuse of office. Only stupid people like Piku find it hard to see the connection.

And
19/6/2015 12:29:22 am

And, the Pope reminds us that the Earth is our common home. IInjustice anywhere in our common home is injustice everywhere ( Mandela). Global citizens are connected that way. Toad in the Well is wired differently.

Tomasi Koroi
15/6/2015 12:58:38 pm

Millions and millions have been siphoned off from public funds by corrupt businessmen and politicians. Shirley park given away to Megji, Churchill Park given away to Tappoo, Tappoo City FNPF investment given away to Tappo, Rewa Dairy given away to CJ, Ports given away to SriLankans, and there are many such cases. These are facts; proportions like those of corruption in FIFA. And your commentators want to shut out Rajen Naidu for pointing this out? And they make strawman of good and competent executives like Ganesh and Rajesh and then start attacking them for doing their job well? It makes me wonder what the motives are. I hope its not racism. I appeal to at least us - we have realised painfully that racism does not pay. In the Kingdom, there is justice. Let us not fall prey to people with dubious motives.

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Fijileaks Editor
15/6/2015 01:25:18 pm

Tomasi Koroi

Ganesh Chand and Rajesh Chandra are no angels.

They used their positions and their contacts with the Bainimarama/Khaiyum regime to involve in all types of fraud.

Chand is only facing one count but he should be charged with further counts.

Chandra has to be also hauled before the courts

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Transparent
16/6/2015 08:04:11 pm

Dear Editor,
You keep attacking Chandra. I am sure you must be well aware that when Chandra took over USP, it was left broke by Tarte. Where were you when Tarte and his wife were ripping off USP? Chandra took I believe a 70% pay cut to send a message to the other highly paid top tier management at USP that the salaries being paid are not sustainable. This of course was also created by Tarte. If you seriously believe you are a journalist then please do your job properly and ethically. I believe you are based in UK and think that you can write anything without proper checks and balances is just so wrong.

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Tomasi Koroi
15/6/2015 02:02:41 pm

Editor Sir,
You accuse them of fraud. This is what fraud means - Oxford diction: "wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain". And this is what Cambdrige Dic says: "the crime of getting money by deceiving people". Show that this was the case and I will agree with you. And you have never said a word that Tony Tarr and Ian Rouse were involved in fraud? why only locals? Get rid of your inferiority complex, Victor. Use same yardstick on your people as you use on others. For now, I got to earn my bread.

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BARKS OF THE SAME TREE
15/6/2015 07:58:34 pm

it appears commentators like "Fiji is Full of Crooks" and "Tomasi Koroi" are barks of the same tree or better still, ganesh's and Rajesh's house trained poodles.

both have been overtly supportive and sympathetic towards ganesh/rajesh when there is mountain of evidence and public statements that these two "competent executives" have been looting FNU/USP coffers, abusing their powers and lining their pockets under the bai-kai regime.

There is massive consensus amongst the Fijian people that it was Victor Lal's courage, determination and august investigative journalism that blew the cover of ganesh/rajesh and others like Neil Sharma, Nalin Patel and their ilk.

Commentators like Koroi and Fiji Full of Crooks need to have a real reality check. People get the factual news from Fijileaks because Fiji Sun and Fiji Times have already sold their soul to bai-kai and are government lapdogs. The same can be said of the opposition (assuming we have one!!).

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Fiji is full of Crooks
16/6/2015 05:17:33 am

I try to be objective and not jump to conclusions.

When has Rajesh looted USP coffers and lined his pocket?

Kavita
17/6/2015 01:57:53 am

Agree. It is really Ganesh Chand stuff. Rajesh's name is used to widen support and give it a racial tone.

Ganesh Chand is fighting back on this forum even authoring comments and using proxies.

Johnny
15/6/2015 07:47:04 pm

@tomasi,

I agree with you that so far nothing concrete has come out which states that Rajesh Chandra is involved in any fraud. What instead has been revealed by Fijileaks themselve is the incompetency of EDF of USP. However for whatever reason, fijileaks has decided not to pursue the EDF's competency issue instead focusing on lighting a fire where there is no evidence. Seems like Victor of the wolf wearing Victors skin has some kind of ulterior motive. Is there a leak behind fijileaks foundations? Definitely looks as such from where I'm looking at things from.

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And
16/6/2015 01:04:18 am

And where are you looking at things from Johnny?
If you are looking up with your head between your knees you won't be seeing much. Fijileaks and Victor Lal are doing their best to hold the Bainimarama regime and it's lackeys in high places ACCOUTABLE.
They are making a positive contribution to good governance in Fiji.

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Shannon
16/6/2015 03:23:08 am

Dear Editor,

While I do agree with you, I must beg to disagree with your last paragraph "...They are making a positive contribution to good governance in Fiji..."

Let us not disagree that the media in Fiji wholly ignore this site and very little progress or change has come about in the lives of the people in Fiji or those in government this blog seeks to expose. Nonetheless, the articles are interesting and while some personal bias does creep in from time to time (not always!!!), the overall site is interesting and does provide food for debate whenever I get the chance to visit this site.

I applaud you for the stand you have chosen to take against the corruption and shady practices that take place in the higher echelons of Fiji. Only time will tell what the effects of this site are on Fiji though.

Johnny
16/6/2015 07:52:54 pm

@And,

Believe me, if I'm looking between my knees, I will get to see a much bigger picture than you will ever do. I'm just looking at a bigger picture. All I see Fijileaks doing is try to persecute Indo-Fijians holding high offices. Are they of the view that only Indo-Fijians are Bainimarama's lackeys. There are real fraud, nepotism and corruption going on and Fijileaks is sensalizing non-issues. As I said previously, the revelation by Fijileaks earlier shows an incompetent EDF at USP. Shouldn't the push be to get a competent person appointed in this very important role at USP? Why arent people like you and Fijileaks pushing for action on Ian Rouse? I hope that you are not blinded by white superiority syndrome like the rest in Fiji. Yes, I do see the full picture. It's time that people like you start looking at things further than your nose. I hope that Fijileaks doesn't lose plot from what it set out to do. Currently, there isn't much difference between Fijileaks and c4.5.

Tomasi Koroi
16/6/2015 02:32:44 am

@Johny - we disagree on Boila. My assessment is that he is very good. He may lack the experience of someone handling a $200m budget. Just give him a few more years.
@Bark - we should let you make strawmen and attack them. Soon you will understand that this wont convert good people into fraudsters. But if this helps you feel good, be my guest. People like you some dime a dozen. BUT: on the brighter side - it gives a good feeling that Indos also have crabs. We can now together stay in the well, and be hidden away from any information on the millions and millions siphoned away by politicians and businessmen.

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maro pito
16/6/2015 03:16:10 am

In fiji the Flag will be changed soon. After that Queens Road will be renamed to Baini marama Road, Kings Road renamed to kahyum Road and Quen Elizabth drive to Jiko Luvuni Drive. Suva City is already renamed to Tappo City

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rajend naidu
16/6/2015 11:42:56 am

Editor,
Here's a letter that has the same relevance for Fiji . Alan Wittaker ( The Age 17/06 ) writes :
" How many times have we heard it? That ridiculous captain comic book phrase : " I will not comment on on- water matters ". It has become another mantra of that troublesome trio, Major Morrison, Duty Sergeant Dutton and Admiral Abbot , and journalists have allowed the trio to get away with it. When journalists ask about the treatment of asylum seekers or refugees, they are asking on behalf of the Australian people and employees of the Australian people must not be permitted to get away with these pseudo-military boys' own redness. Come on journalists demand some meaningful answers . It is 800 years since the Magna Carta and government ministers should not arrogate to themselves the Devine right of kings. It is the inalienable right of the Australian people to have the unalloyed truth ".
The people of Fiji have the same inalienable right to the truth about what is happening in the country and what their leaders in government and other institutions of society are doing.
It is a good thing that we have journalists in the Fijileaks asking questions and demanding answers on behalf of the Fijian people.
Sincerely,
Rajend Naidu
Sydney.

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Chiku
17/6/2015 02:01:44 am

Wish you all at Fijileaks an enjoyable - and indeed a well deserved - break.
Thank you for your indispensable effort in ensuring democratic accountability in Fiji since the unlawful takeover of the Government of Fiji in 2006 by Frank Bainimarama and his merry men .

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rajend naidu
17/6/2015 04:51:32 pm

Editor,
Voicing her concern over the Bainimarama government's apparent intention to go ahead with its pre-determined decision to change the national flag, notwithstanding the peoples' opposition to it, Sivia Qoro reminds us " The hallmarks of democracy are consensus building, transparency and accountability where the collective views of the people must be upheld by the leaders " (Fiji Times 18/06 ).
She is right.
That is indeed the democratic tradition. But let us not forget the Bainimarama government is not born out of that tradition.
It is a product of a military coup and dictatorship. A quite different political tradition.
It is a government accustomed to doing things a different way.
Sincerely,
Rajend Naidu
Sydney

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Welcome Home
18/6/2015 07:46:52 pm

From April 2009 and for four successive years we enjoyed no rights whatsoever we must remind ourselves. Our liberty and our right to protection as civilians under the rule of law were summarily abrogated. This act was tantamount to a violence done to each and everyone of us and it permitted a pathway to abuse of power, corruption of all kinds, rape and home invasions of a terrifying kind to take place on an unprecedented scale. These vioLations live still in our memories. They will not be expunged until freedom and full transparency are restored to all Fijians. Yes, we were abandoned as the ACP/EU was informed so recently.

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well well well
18/6/2015 08:22:40 pm

In the last 5 years, corruption is very high within the non itaukei elites. wonder why

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Insider
19/6/2015 03:26:49 am

Rajesh Chandra should be investigated for recruiting Jai Kumar as director marketing etc when the post was never advertised.
Jai Kumar has no qualification on this field.
This is all connection!!!

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rajend naidu
19/6/2015 07:51:26 pm

Editor,
In his excellent article ' The relevance of the Magna Carta to Fiji " ( Fiji Times 20/6 ) Professor Wadan Narsey makes the very important point that anyone - including professors - can extoll the virtues of the Magna Carta and it's founding principles for modern day rule of law and democracy without bringing the requisite commitment to it as the post coup Fiji experience has clearly demonstrated.
There is this same apparent mismatch in Australia where the PM Tony Abbot too joined in singing high praise for the Magna Carta but human rights advocates have pointed out time and again his departure from and lack of commitment to the principles and values of the Magna Carta.
Sincerely,
Rajend Naidu
Sydney

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rajend naidu
20/6/2015 07:03:15 pm

Editor,
With reference to PM Voreqe Bainimarama's pronouncement that he wants Fijians to be rid of the colonial past as manifest in the current Fiji flag ( Fiji Times 21/6) I wonder what else in contemporary Fiji belongs to the colonial past?
Does the silly looking stuff the high priest of the law courts wear on their heads belong to the colonial past?
Does the suit and tie parliamentarians wear to the new parliament belong to the colonial past?
What about the parliament itself?
And, what about the all white naval office uniform? That surely looks like the attire of a colonial sahib, doesn't it?
What about toilet paper?
What about rugby, soccer and cricket ?
What about Christianity?
The list is by no means complete but hopefully it will generate some thinking on the PM's selective pronouncement on what has come to us from our colonial past.
Sincerely,
Rajend Naidu
Sydney

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Welcome Home
25/6/2015 08:26:41 pm

Aside from the issue of abandonment by the international community, civilians in Fiji were also subjected to the wrath of natural disasters comprising three flood events and a category 5 cyclone in December of the same year. There were notable gaps in a coherent and satisfactory response to all these events. No boats even inflatable dinghies were place on the Nadi River for instance. A shocking failure cf disaster preparedness. This was discussed with UN Women in July 2012 when they came in to consult.

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