Disaster zones

Fiji govt says too early to declare disaster zones

The Minister for Disaster Management, Inia Seruiratu said now that the waters have receded, government teams are visiting sites hit by the flooding.

The opposition National Federation Party hasĀ called on the government to declare a disaster for areas badly affected.

But Mr Seruiratu said any action will be dictated by assessments being carried out now.

The minister said food security may not be as serious an issue as first thought.

Call for parts of Fiji to be declared disaster zones

The opposition party said this would enable people to get immediate government assistance.

The NFP said Rakiraki, parts of Qamea which has been hit by landslides, and other areas should be declared disaster zones.

The party said there should be rehabilitation packages for crop and house damage and it's called for army engineers to clean up, distribute rations and repair badly damaged infrastructure.

It said the town and district of Ra has suffered millions of dollars worth of damage.