Residents of the Northern Division have come together to gather significant financial and material support for victims of Cyclone Oscar in Viti Levu. Various groups, including student organizations, schools, the Rotary and Apex Clubs, Jaycees, the Labasa Red Cross, sports teams, religious groups, and women’s clubs, have mobilized to collect cash and clothing, which will be forwarded to EMSEC and the Prime Minister’s Hurricane Relief Committee for distribution.
Commissioner Northern Gaya Prasad reported that approximately $1,000 and around 50 bags of clothing have been collected from the Labasa community. He mentioned that circulars requesting contributions were sent out to government departments in the area; however, many organizations opted to send their donations directly to EMSEC’s head office or their parent organizations in Suva.
The Labasa branch of the National Federation Party has taken the initiative to create the Vanua Levu Oscar Relief Committee to facilitate the collection of cash donations and clothing for those affected by the cyclone. Committee chairman Subarmani Basawaiya stated that contributions are being sent straight to victims in the Western Division, as government agencies have taken longer to distribute relief supplies.
The committee’s first shipment of relief supplies departed Labasa on Sunday aboard the Lautoka-based ship Leiyadali, owned by Charles Whippy, who has waived any cartage fees. These supplies are being distributed from the Soni Samaj Hall in Nadi. Basawaiya noted that the most substantial contributions came from the people of Nagigi.
The Rotary Club of Labasa has contributed a $500 cheque, while the local Red Cross has been collecting donations door-to-door. Scouts, Girl Guides, and Red Cross members in local primary and secondary schools are also engaging in fundraising activities, including organizing mufti days and performing odd jobs. St Mary’s Primary School held a mufti day that raised about $150 for the cyclone victims.
Furthermore, the Macuata Muslim League has solicited contributions from Muslim schools throughout Vanua Levu, and devotees of the Labasa Shri Sathya Sai Baba Society have sent $200 along with clothing to their headquarters in Suva. Members of the Gujerati Samaj in Labasa are also making cash donations to their center in Suva.
The Labasa Chamber of Commerce has successfully raised over $500 during its relief collection drive, while the Labasa Merchants Club donated $200 each to the Nadi and Sigatoka Town Councils to support relief efforts. Additionally, the Labasa Market Vendors Association has already raised $350 and intends to accumulate at least $500 in total for the cyclone victims.