Relief supplies for the North (Tui Tai helping out)

[Stacey King]

Thursday, March 18, 2010

A RELIEF run to hurricane-struck areas in the Northern Division is being organised by a cruise ship company that has close ties to the area.

Morika Hunter-Young, of the tourist vessel Tui Tai, said the company's charitable arm was organising relief supplies to be shipped to Rabi and Kioa islands, and Natewa Bay and Udu Point on Vanua Levu.

"We cruise that area every day and they are everything about us," she said. Mrs Young said they were working with the Fiji Red Cross Society, Rotary Fiji and Fiji Water.

The company has also offered to transport officials from the National Disaster Management Committee to affected areas.

"We will leave as soon as the weather clears and it will be via Bligh Waters' vessel the Suliven, where the goods will be transferred to the Tui Tai in Taveuni," Mrs Young said.

The relief supplies will include bottled Fiji Water, canned supplies, flour, rice, sugar, diapers, blankets and clothing.

"The basic supplies are the packs provided by Rotary and Red Cross. I have offered DISMAC to be part of the the team because I am sure they too will want to go out as soon as possible to look at the extent of the damage."

Mrs Young said the Tui Tai was safe as it sheltered in Viani Bay, but they received reports that villagers along the coastline had suffered losses during the hurricane.

"We know that villages in Buca were struck badly so I am pretty sure that there are a lot more people that need us out there.

"The Tui Tai had recorded winds of up to 100km/hr at 6pm yesterday, and that's on the sheltered side.

"I am concerned as we have tried to get a hold of people from the villages but we cannot get through," she said.

As for relief supplies to far flung Cikobia Island, Mrs Young said there was only so much the company could do. She said she understood that the navy was making a trip to the island.