ONE of the first charitable organisations that gave more than $20,000 worth of assistance to cyclone victims last month contributed a further $17,780 in emergency items to more than 200 families over the weekend.
The Lions Club International, through its Fiji chapter visited Ba, Tavua and Lautoka on Saturday to distribute food rations, water and tarpaulin sheets.
"Our teams in Ba and Labasa had already visited their respective areas immediately after Tropical Cyclone Evan had passed with funding made available through the Vodafone ATH Foundation and the $US10,000 ($F17,780)worth of items that was distributed on Saturday was made available to us from our parent organisation in the US," explained zone chairman Fiji region Mukesh Madho.
He said needy families were identified after consultation with district officers, advisory councillors and teachers in the affected areas.
"Many families we visited stated that they had not received any assistance to date."
Apart from addressing immediate food and water needs, the Lions Club Fiji also made a request for education assistance to our New Zealand counterparts.
"I made a request to our associate clubs in New Zealand and they are raising funds to assist with school-related expenses," Mr Madho said.
The Lions Club Fiji leader said the most pressing issue for most families could not be addressed because of limited resources.
"Many are in urgent need of a roof over their heads. It is unfortunate that the funds we have are not enough to meet this basic need," he said.