Residents of the Northern Division have come together to raise hundreds of dollars and gather materials to support the victims of Cyclone Oscar in Viti Levu. According to a March 16, 1993 report, various groups including student organizations, schools, the Rotary Club, Apex Club, Jaycees, the Labasa Red Cross, sports teams, religious organizations, and women’s clubs have contributed money and clothing to aid in the relief efforts.
Commissioner Northern Gaya Prasad stated that approximately $1,000 and around 50 bags of clothing have been collected from the public in Labasa. He mentioned that circulars were distributed to several government departments within the Northern Division to request contributions. However, many organizations chose to send their donations directly to the EMSEC head office or their parent organization in Suva.
The Labasa branch of the National Federation Party established the Vanua Levu Oscar Relief Committee to collect cash and clothing for cyclone victims. Chairman Subarmani Basawaiya noted that donations are being sent directly to the affected individuals in the Western Division, as government agencies tend to take longer in distributing relief supplies.
On Sunday, the Lautoka-based ship Leiyadali departed from Labasa carrying the initial batch of relief supplies gathered by the committee, with owner Charles Whippy waiving any cartage fees. The supplies are being distributed from the Soni Samaj Hall in Nadi, with significant amounts collected from residents of Nagigi.
The Rotary Club of Labasa contributed a $500 cheque, while members of the Red Cross in Labasa conducted house-to-house collections. Scouts, Girl Guides, and Red Cross clubs across primary and secondary schools in the North also raised funds through mufti days, bottle collections, and odd jobs. For instance, St Mary’s Primary School held a mufti day, raising about $150 for cyclone victims.
Additionally, the Macuata Muslim League sought contributions from all Muslim schools in Vanua Levu. The Labasa Shri Sathya Sai Baba Society members sent $200 and clothing items to their headquarters in Suva, while the Gujerati Samaj in Labasa also forwarded cash contributions.
In their relief collection efforts, the Labasa Chamber of Commerce raised over $500, and the Labasa Merchants Club donated $200 each to the Nadi and Sigatoka Town Councils for relief efforts. The Labasa Market Vendors Association has already raised $350, aiming for a total of at least $500 for the cyclone victims.