Chairman's Update Friday 26 March 2010 - Australian Rabi Relief Account now open

[Stacey King]

Stacey, Fellow Banabans and Friends,
For your information, we now have a bank account** for the Hurricane Thomas relief fund available as follows:

Account name: Banaban Trust Fund Board
Account number: 032-004 14 - 6345
Bank Name: WESTPAC BANK
Location: WESTPAC ROYAL EXCHANGE SYDNEY

Stacey since this bank is located in Australia, it will make your work easier for you that side to forward assistance in monetary terms without costly transaction costs.

(**Please Note! For those wanting to DONATE direct to the BTFB account in Sydney please add RABI AID and your name and also email details to us at: [e-mail], so we know who you are, as this payment will go straight into the bank account. The PayPal donation link which is currently set to US dollars will keep operating to allow DONATIONS worldwide. These donations will be registered accounted for, before being forward on to the above account. Thanks for all your efforts to date, Stacey )

Good news we have Rabi now connected, food has arrived for 2 weeks ration.
Today at 6pm our plight inregard to damages on the island is on air on Fiji TV1. I have arranged for Fiji Times coverage but they did not show up, I will try to catch them next week
We met with the PM's office yesterday, they have incoorporated our plans for the next 6months, and with it our proposed activities on rehabilitation work. This is a good indicator that the Fiji Government is serious with our proposed mitigation plans for Rabi.
Due to the distribution of food that is now currently being facilitated on the island, we are trying to save costs by holding on to the food rations currently with us at the office donated by Kiribati government costing $F1000. until such a time we have sufficient supply to transport to the island.
Well that is the update from Fiji and Suva this week, may you all have a wonderful weekend and look forward to you update you people again next week

Kam batin raba (thank you all very much!)

Bauro

Dr. Paulo Vanualailai

Chairman

Rabi Council of Leaders