K50,000 to people hit by cyclone

 By Stacey Tarura 

Tropical Cyclone Winston is the biggest to hit this part of the world (Fiji), Melanesian Trustee Services Ltd chief executive officer Kennedy Wemin says.

“On behalf of the Melanesian Trustee Services Ltd and the Pacific Balance Fund, I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the Fijian community both in PNG and abroad, but especially to the victims and their families whose homes and livelihoods have been affected by the recent cyclone,” he said at a cheque presentation last Thursday.

“It has affected many lives.

“In fact, hundreds if not thousands of lives of families in Fiji.

“I believe it has cut off the power, water, communication lines and a lot of schools have been closed, with many lives affected.” 

Wemin said as Melanesians, we were taught to give, but more so in times of difficulties.

“I believe also that a lot of families have been evacuated to the emergency shelters around Fiji, with the extent of the destruction unclear and a 30-day state of emergency being declared,” he said. 

“We would like to inform you, the Fijian community, that we stand both in support and in our prayers.”

Wemin, with the assistance of Miss Pacific Islands Abigail Havora presented  K50,000 to the Fijian High Commission.

“We hope that it will start of the work that the Government needs to address the  victims and their families and also the rebuilding process and hopefully lead to the healing of a lot of lives.”