The joint
initiative was coined by the Nadi branches.
Present at
the drive was Member of Parliament and Rotary International member Sanjit
Patel.
“This is the
first relief that we want to send quickly and there will be people joining
hands in providing assistance to our friends in Vanuatu and obviously
Government will help,” he said.
Both clubs
will be working with sister associations in Australia and New Zealand who are
stationed in Vanuatu today to aid the distribution.
He said the
response from the public has been outstanding.
“So far we
have had people from Sabeto and even Kerebula bringing in bags of clothes and
some have volunteered to get food. I’m proud of the people in Nadi who have
been genuinely giving whatever they can,” he said.
The Rotary
International club in Nadi plans to discuss logistics with the Fijian
Government and try to provide food rations as well.
“We can show
our compassion for our neighbours when they need us the most and showing them
that Fiji is with Vanuatu all the way,” Mr Patel said.
Meanwhile,
Rotary Club of Nadi president Krupesh Patel said the public donated basic
necessities.
“Since we
cannot be there with them psychically as Rotarians we thought people would
really need these basic things,” said Mr Patel.
The
collection from the drive included house hold items like kitchen utensils,
curtains, linen beddings, shoes and toys.
The team in
Port Vila will be assessing areas which are accessible for distribution.
Source Fiji Sun – 22/03/2015
In addition, Nadi Rotary report:
1. We have collected just over ½ a 20ft
Container load of items.
2. This project / appeal to the public
was done for 1 week where we printed posters, flyers and advertisements on
Radio and TV as well.
3. We had 2 locations points where all
collection was done and 1 area where Nadi Rotaractors were doing all the
sorting of the items.
Currently
we are talking to few freight companies who can quickly get this shipment
across to Rotary Club of Port Vila.
