RABI COUNCIL OF LEADERS

BANABA…

RABI CYCLONE APPEAL…

Nawaia Touakin and Kaitama Tawaka, Suva

We will be having our grand Rabi fundraising this Saturday from 2 pm through to 11.00pm at the Civic Centre. We are hoping to raise a good sum for our devastated folks on the island who would soon be needing a second stock of relief supplies.

The day will also be full of exciting activiteis like traditional dancing, creative dance, feasting and mingle around to catch up with freinds, families and make new friends. If we could all just come…

Dr Paulo (Bauro) Vanualailai reported today from Suva, that Fiji President - Ratu Epeli Nailatikau will be visiting Rabi either Wednesday or Thursday in the aftermath of Cyclone Tomas. The Chairman advised that they had also received 34 sets of clothing from the Catholic Archdiocese in Suva as part of an Australia Catholic aid package to assist Fiji. He also advised that that the RCL would purchase…

Biara Touakin reporting direct from Rabi, Fiji

Kam na mauri ara koraki,

Bon te kamauri mai Rambi imwiin te ang are e ururu iaon abara aio.

I taku ba kama bon tia n nori tamnei man ongo rongorongo ibukin abara aio mwiin ana ururu te ang TC Tomas n te Moanibong ao te Kauabong 15th ao 16th n te namakaina aei.

E bon rangin korakora aron ana ururu nakon taian auti ao riki nakon taian kaina-n-amarake n aron te nii, te mai, te tabioka ao a maiti riki. Ikai naba…

Banaba's Rays of Hope at a time when our people on Rabi need it most. The rehabilitation of Banaba, the homeland will be an important focus for the Banaban people in the years to come.

These beautiful photographs of Banaba were taken by John Sutton from UK when he met up…

I would like to encourage all our BV members wherever you may reside to please forward the Chairman's Plea to all your friends, family and especially organizations etc you may be involved with.

The direct link to the Chairman's letter is: http://banabanvoice.ning.com/profiles/blogs/plea-from-rabi-chairman-to

We need to support our Chairman NOW and use the power of the internet to spread his message…

Pacific Beat Home | Broadcast Times Updated March 23, 2010 07:57:09



Fiji's Ministry of Health is assessing the needs of people and tallying up the damage bill for medical facilities after Cyclone Tomas swept through the north and east. There are also reports that the island of Rabi has been totally devastated.

Presenter: Sam Seke

Speaker: Iliesa Tora, Health Ministry spokesman

Listen:Windows…

Tuesday 23 March 2010 Savusavu-Rabi, Fiji by Stacey King

Banaban, Ken Sigrah rang this morning from the lorry as they drove off from Savusavu heading for Karoko. He reported out of his FJD$3,000 Donations budget he was able to get the following food rations for general village distribution planned for tomorrow on Rabi. He said that all the food prices in Savusavu had gone up rapidly due to the current crisis.

This is an approximate list as Ken lost contact with us as the lorry…

BANABANS BE AT SAVUSAVU PM TODAY OR ***BEFORE 10AM*** TOMORROW FOR AID SHIPMENT TO RABI

I just had a phone call from Ken Rabi (4am here Aust) as Biniati has been able to book a a car at Savusavu which is coming out to Karoko now. He said they have just opened the road and they plan to meet the car at Koroko at 11am. They expect to arrive Savusavu late this afternoon.

I have gathered together $3,000 in overseas donations from this end and Biniati will buy…

Ken has advised that no one is willing to help with boats across to Rabi so we will have to find money to hire boats. Hoping if anyone up there can help us out taking emergency food across to Rabi. Please contact us ASAP.

Ken has just made contact with me now and was standing outside our home in Stream Valley Rabi with his brother Biniati and family. All our family is OK and our houses, one of which was only completed the day before the cylone hit has made it. All Biniati efforts with sandbagging the houses and wiring down the roofs with branches and logs has paid off. Ken reports that Rabi is in a very bad way confirming what our Chairman has already told us. He is attending a village meeting this afternoon…

RABI DISASTER MANAGEMENT TEAM

Banaban Trust Fund Board Office

Banaba House

1st Floor,

Pratt Street

Suva FIJI

Phone: (679) 310 0085

Fax: (679) 330 8760

I am coordinating everything from this side, NGAIA will be the one along with Nei TO, they will also be working today until 10pm today at this office. Both are workers for Banaban Limited.

As for Monday I am going to open a new Account number for Rabi Island Disaster Fund…

RCL Chairman, Paulo Vanualailai has advised us that they are now meeting in Suva this morning to set up a RABI DISASTER MANAGEMENT TEAM. They are setting up in the Banaban Trust Board office in Banaba House Pratt Street, Suva. We will be listing the phone and fax numbers shortly.