The rehabilitation programme in Cikobia has been hailed a success by the Manager Rural Housing, Mr Jovilisi Dau.

Mr Dau who is from the Ministry of Provincial Development highlighted that work on Cikobia began after Cyclone Daman destroyed houses, crops and vegetation which led Government to respond immediately to the plight of the people of Cikobia by sending teams to assess the extent of damages.

The team provided the people of Cikobia with food rations and tarpaulin since their homes were filled with sand and sea water.

"A total of 16 houses were built

The Labasa Mayor, Dr Pradeep Singh has confirmed that roads conditions in Labasa are gradually improving.

He says this has been possible through the Government grant for the upgrade of roads in Labasa.

"As far as the Labasa town itself is concerned we are improving on our roads which, was deteriorating due to the series of floods."

Dr Singh said this improvement has put people at ease because in the past they faced continuous transport difficulties due to the deteriorating road conditions.

"Most of the roads have improved

Cabinet has approved the release of funds amounting to $534,867.02 for the relief and rehabilitation programme for people affected by Tropical Cyclone Daman on the island of Cikobia.

Cabinet based its decision on a submission by the Prime Minister, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama.

The Prime Minister said $30,628.08 has been allocated to meet the cost of emergency relief operations and damage assessment undertaken by relevant government agencies.

"$289,711.80 will be meeting housing costs for partially and fully damaged houses.

"Financial grant up to the actual

The total damages of tropical cyclone Daman on the island of Cikobia recently being released by DISMAC is in the tune of $652, 171.

In an exclusive interview with the Department of Information today DISMAC director Joeli Rokovada said the cost includes all types of damages including the school, water, health, housing, community infrastructures and agriculture.

Upon the return of the government ground assessment team from Cikobia late last week Mr Rokovada had briefed the Cabinet on the extent of the damages on the island.

"We have just received the assessment

The European Commission today signed an agreement for FJD$20 million to reduce the vulnerability to natural disasters and to build the resilience in eight Pacific Island Countries including Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Palau and Nauru.

At a ceremony in Suva, Fiji, the new Representative and Head of the European Commission (EC) Delegation for the Pacific, Mr Wiepke Van der Goot, signed the agreement with the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Mr. Greg Urwin, and the Director

The Director of the National Disaster Management Office, Joeli Rokovada has confirmed that assessment to damages brought about by Cyclone Daman has been completed and that critical services on the island are now stabilized.

Speaking exclusively to the Department of Information Mr Rokovada said that the DISMAC officials consisting of military personnel's and government officials who were dispatched to the island assisted in the general cleaning up of debris in the four villagers.

Mr Rokovada highlighted that with the

The Director of the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), Joeli Rokovada, today confirmed that a Government team from the Commissioner Northern Division's office and the NDMO in Suva is currently conducting a thorough assessment on the extent of damages on Cikobia Island.

Mr Rokovada said the NDMO accurately reported that Tropical Cyclone Daman caused some damage on the island. He also apologised for what appeared to be a communication breakdown on the information conveyed by his office and the Commissioner Northern' office.

Mr Rokovada said the situation is now

Posted Mon Dec 10, 2007 10:00am AEDT

Disaster officials in Fiji are trying to get emergency supplies to an island flattened by Cyclone Daman last week.

A helicopter and a Fijian Government boat are scheduled to leave today for Cikobia where winds of more than 200 kilometres an hour have caused extensive damage to houses and food crops.

Director of Fiji's national disaster management office Joeli Rokovada says his staff will assess how much more support the islanders need.

"They'll need further relief and

Nadi, Fiji, 08 December 2007 - Category 4 tropical cyclone Daman brought heavy rains causing floods and landslides in the Northern Division of Fiji. International and domestic flights were cancelled on 7 December as the cyclone approached Suva.

The Disaster Management Committees (DISMAC) at the respective divisions have been active in ensuring adequate community preparedness. Some evacuation centres have also been established to accommodate displaced residents. Coordination was strengthened with the Red Cross and government agencies to provide support for the emergency response activities.