About half a million dollars worth of handicraft and other products were lost in the Suva Flea Market fire last month.
This was the word from Suva Flea Market president Andrew Lee.
He said the most pressing need was providing an avenue for vendors to earn an income while they tried to recover from the blaze and the impact of COVID-19.
“All members of the 80 stalls have lost everything in the blaze,” he said.
“And we are trying to figure out alternatives to survive due to the fire and the pandemic – it will take us years to recover from the loss.
“Around $500,000 worth of stocks have been destroyed from the clothing and handicraft stalls, we would really appreciate if help comes in, even to start up the businesses again.”
Fiji United National Association president Sisaro Temo said the fire had brought vendors to their knees.
“School is resuming soon and we do not know how to put food on the table for the children,” he said.
“We are trying to assess the damage and reach out to Government for any form of assistance.”
Mr Temo said the majority of stall members did not have Fiji National Provident Fund accounts.
Stall member for the past 12 years Samsun Nisha said $30,000 worth of her stock had been destroyed in the blaze.
“All clothes, industrial sewing machines, phone, cabinets and new stock were burnt down,” she said.
“I am a single mother and this small-scale sewing business was my only source of income.
“I also have to make overdue loan repayments to the bank for home renovations.”
Another stall member, Urmila, said she was unable to save any of the stock in her stall.
“I had stock worth more than $15,000, three machines and also some clothes I bought online,” she said.
“I panicked, my heart told me to run and I left everything to save my life.”
Pita Mataliviwa, a vendor of two years, said about $9000 worth of new stock went up in flames.
“The flea market was our bread and butter, now we are looking for support and assistance from anyone who can help us,” he said.
“This was the only source of income for my family, and I am also paying $1200 rent per month.”
Siblings Ritesh and Swastika Lal are hoping Government would provide some form of assistance to recover from their $10,000 loss.
Priyanka Chand, a stallholder for 15 years, said she lost about $9000 worth of products.
The fire was believed to have started from a restaurant before it spread to handicraft and clothing stalls, a Value City outlet and other stores.
