Minister for Housing and Community Development, Hon. Premila Kumar has outlined the manner in which the Ministry will be assisting Fijians affected by devastation caused Tropical Cyclone Harold.
During a press conference at Korobasaga House in Suva this morning, Minister Kumar explained that the Ministry is working with the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), Ministry of Rural and Maritime and the Ministry of Forestry.
While speaking on the criteria on how the assistance will be provided Minister Kumar said, “A person has to be 18-years-old and above, the house in which he/she lives in is the only house they have or had and they are earning below $15,000, which is meant to be the average household income”.
“If there are four family members and their total income is $15,000 and below then they qualify for the assistance.”
Minister Kumar added that they also have to be Fiji citizens.
“For those houses that are completely destroyed, there is a scheme in place which we call one third and two third contribution.”
“Under one third and two third contribution, we have done a costing of a two bedroom dwelling, and should cost around $18,000.”
“If the price of the dwelling is around $18,000 one third would be around $6,000 which would be paid by the family/individual affected and the rest will come from the Ministry.”
Minister Kumar said that there is a criteria that the Ministry normally looks at before they decide on who qualifies for the assistance.