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Relief efforts have swung into full gear in disaster-struck Fiji with two naval boats expected to reach outer islands today while Australian and New Zealand aircraft ferry supplies to the northern division.
National Disaster Management Office (DISMAC) acting director Pajiliai Dobui told FijiLive the two Fiji navy boats which left Suva last night are headed towards the northern and eastern divisions.
“They will be arriving there later today after which relief supplies will be distributed to those affected by Cyclone Tomas,” said Dobui.
Meanwhile relief supplies continue to be offloaded from the Australian Defence Force C-130 aircraft at Nausori airport.
Dobui said part of the supplies will be flown off to Labasa by a New Zealand airforce aircraft for distribution in the north today.
“The rest will be taken to government supplies in Walu Bay to be shipped into the affected areas of the eastern division,” he said.
The Australian aircraft brought eight tonnes of emergency relief supplies including 960 tarpaulins, 20 family tents, over two-thousand 10-litre water containers and 680,000 water purification tablets.
Dobui also told FijiLive the C-130 aircraft will be used for aerial surveillance missions over the Lomaiviti and Lau groups today.
“It will carry representatives from the National Disaster Management Organisation, the Commissioner Eastern’s office, Fiji Red Cross and representatives of UN along with the Australian and New Zealand high commissions.”
