The Northern Division community has mobilized to collect hundreds of dollars and various materials to assist the victims of Cyclone Oscar in Viti Levu. As reported on March 16, 1993, by The Fiji Times, contributions have come from student organizations, schools, the Rotary Club, Apex Club, Jaycees, Labasa Red Cross, sports and religious groups, and women’s clubs, all collaborating to gather funds and clothing for EMSEC and the Prime Minister’s Hurricane Relief Committee to facilitate distribution.
Commissioner Northern Gaya Prasad shared that approximately $1,000 and around 50 bags of clothing have already been collected from the residents of Labasa. Circulars were disseminated to various government departments in the Northern Division to encourage contributions; however, many organizations opted to send their donations directly to the EMSEC head office or their parent bodies in Suva.
The Labasa branch of the National Federation Party has established the Vanua Levu Oscar Relief Committee specifically for collecting cash and clothing for cyclone victims. Chairman Subarmani Basawaiya reported that their contributions are being sent directly to those affected in the Western Division as government agencies are often slow in distributing relief supplies.
On Sunday, the Lautoka-based ship Leiyadali departed Labasa for Lautoka with the initial load of relief supplies gathered by the committee, with owner Charles Whippy waiving cartage fees. The supplies were being distributed from the Soni Samaj Hall in Nadi. Basawaiya mentioned that the largest amount of relief supplies was collected from Nagigi residents.
Additionally, the Rotary Club of Labasa donated a $500 cheque, and Red Cross members in Labasa conducted house-to-house collections. Local Scouts, Girl Guides, and Red Cross clubs from primary and secondary schools in the North raised funds through mufti days, bottle collections, and other activities. St. Mary’s Primary School’s mufti day alone raised approximately $150 for the cyclone victims.
The Macuata Muslim League has also sought contributions from all Muslim schools in Vanua Levu. The Labasa Shri Sathya Sai Baba Society sent $200 along with clothing to their headquarters in Suva, while members of the Gujerati Samaj in Labasa are also contributing cash to their center in Suva.
The Labasa Chamber of Commerce has raised over $500 in their relief collection efforts, and the Labasa Merchants Club donated $200 each to the Nadi and Sigatoka Town Councils to aid relief operations. Furthermore, the Labasa Market Vendors Association has raised $350 with plans to gather at least $500 total for the victims of the cyclone.