THE Vishva Hindu Parishad (Fiji) has assisted more than 1000 students who were affected by the recent flood.
President Jay Dayal said the gifts consisted of exercise books, pens and food packs ù assisted by VHP US, VHP UK and a sponsor in NZ totalling more than $20,000.
In addition, the group has given 350 food packs to 2000 people in Ba together with 1500 food packs to be cooked and jointly distributed daily for five days with Hare Krishna Society to all evacuation centres.
Mr Dayal said they had been working with the Hare Krishna Society which was distributing cooked food to more than 1000 flood victims on a daily basis. "All necessary support will be provided by VHP Fiji to any organisation that wishes to team up to deliver relief supplies to the flood victims," he said.
"A total relief assistance of more than $20,000 will be distributed in form of cooked food and food rations by VHP Fiji within the Ba district in coming days.
"VHP Fiji provided school stationery, school fees and food to about 1000 students in Ba and Tavua.
"VHP Fiji is backed up by its international branches in India, USA, UK, Australia and New Zealand for all the flood relief assistance.
"We are organising several container loads of food rations and clothing for the flood victims from New Zealand.
"These will be distributed to the needy upon arrival and VHP Fiji is thankful that the Prime Minister has allowed all such relief assistance to be cleared of duty and be VAT free under the Prime Minister's Flood Relief Assistance Scheme."
He said VHP Fiji gave $2000 to the Fiji Sevashram Sangha to help in its urgent relief efforts.
"VHP is now working with farmers for farm rehabilitation project targeting 1000 farmers in Ba providing them with vegetable seeds. The cost of this project will be more than $50,000.
"A medical camp will be set up in Ba in May ù we are currently in discussion with various agencies," he said.