GOPIO SETS UP FIJI CYCLONE REHABILIATION FUND,
RAISES FUNDS IN NEW YORK
Just recently, Cyclone
Ami hit Fiji with destructive force of a hurricane with wind speeds gusting up
to 180 knots per hour and caused widespread destruction to north-eastern Vanua
Levu including Labasa and surrounding areas, and to outer islands in the Lau
Groups and eastern Fiji. There were over two dozen deaths and enormous property
damage.
Part of the damage in the Labasa area was caused by
heavy flooding brought about by the cyclone. Homes have been washed away,
destroyed or substantially damaged, crops have been ruined, power lines brought
down and water supply disrupted. Hundreds of people are left with just the
clothes on their back.
Much of the loss occurred because the cyclone
struck at night. Labasa suffered a complete blackout even before the full fury
of the cyclone was unleashed. Flood waters rose at 4 am washing away homes and
families while they were still asleep. A family of eight at Korotari in Labasa
died after being washed away.
Labasa has suffered massive destruction to
infrastructure and it will be weeks before water, telephones and electricity
are fully restored. The town which was also subjected to heavy flooding is
still just a sea of mud. Mud in the outlying rural areas is knee deep. There
has been over $50 million US dollars in damage along with deaths and
destruction to lives.
A rehabilitation effort has been started with
several international voluntary agencies involved in it. GOPIO has set up a
Fiji Cyclone Fund. Renowned pro-golf player Vijay Singh has extended
his support in the GOPIO efforts to raise funds. The funds will be channeled
through the agencies working in the field for immediate needs such as food,
clean water, and shelter as well as to get children back in school to get their
minds off the traumatic events and catastrophe. GOPIO will take advice from
former Fiji Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry who has been actively involved in
the relief and rehabilitation efforts in the affected areas.
GOPIO has designated
President-elect Inder Singh to be the Coordinator for Fiji Cyclone Relief Fund.
Contact Singh by email (InderSingh.la@sbcglobal.net) or by phone at 818 708-3885.
Dron S. Battan from the Indo-Fijian community, from Downey, CA is as an
important contributor to this effort and managed to get Mr. Vijay Singh's
support to help this cause for the cyclone victims of Fiji.
GOPIO
organized a fund-raiser in New York on February 12th in the presence of the
legendary icon of Indian film Dev Anand at The Tandoor Restaurant in Rego Park,
Queens. Anand was the guest of honor. He reminded everyone that
people of Indian origin have been living in Fiji for generations and they
need for assistance due to the Cyclone that brought death and
devastation.. He said, “Please give and give generously to them especially
at this time of their need. We cannot control disasters, but we must help
each other.”
Anand was encouraged that the attendees did not include any Fijian yet the
attendees came out to support them. He gave his time freely, posing
for photographs, taking questions, signing books and autographs. He
briefly discussed the release his new movie Love inTimes Square on
Valentine’s Day. The program was compered by GOPIO Secretary General Ashook
Ramsaran. GOPIO President inducted Anand to be a Honorary Life Member of GOPIO.
A
few years ago, Gujarat earthquake shook conscience NRIs/PIOs, who liberally
contributed to help the victims. GOPIO makes an appeal to do likewise
for Fijian PIO brethren who have suffered from cyclone Ami. GOPIO has assured
that one hundred percent of the contribution will be sent for this humanitarian
cause. Please send your tax-deductible contribution to: GOPIO Inc., c/o Dr.
Sushila Gidwani, 243 Palisade Ave., Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522.
Editor:
For further information, please call Ashook Ramsaran at 718-353-1900 or
718-969-8206
