AS the annual cyclone season closes, a Lautoka-based NGO is preparing for natural disasters by stocking up on essential items.
Empower Pacific, formerly known as Pacific Counselling and Social Services, is stockpiling special water filters suitable for large water containers which will be instantly made available in the event of floods.
The filters have been made possible through a $50,000 funding from the US-based international aid organisation, The Prem Rawat Foundation.
Program manager Kim Tilbury said the filtration system was one of several efforts to address the overall needs of less fortunate families, who could also be receiving other support services such as income-generation support, counselling and social services simultaneously.
"In addition, one or more families will have the opportunity to start a small business that will supply and fit the water-filter replacement cartridges at an affordable cost," she said.
"These filters have been used by families and communities in disaster situations all over the world, including in Haiti and other large-scale disaster areas."
Ms Tilbury said access to clean drinking water had commonly been identified as a main issue of concern in the aftermath of flooding.