Pictured : Minister for Agriculture Dr Mahendra Reddy (Source : FBC News)

Government has acknowledged the assistance provided by the United Nations in the lead up to TC Yasa and the rehabilitation works following TC Yasa and TC Ana.

Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Environment, the Hon. Dr Mahendra Reddy in his Ministerial Statement in Parliament on Monday (8.2.21) expressed his appreciation to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) for providing a Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Consultant who had been working with the Ministry in the past six months reviewing its preparedness, response and rehabilitation plans and standard operating procedures.

“This technical support provided timely assistance during the Ministry of Agriculture TC Yasa response operation whereby we were able to implement our response plan in a more timely and well-coordinated manner ensuring distribution of agriculture rehabilitation items within a few days after TC Yasa,” he said.

Minister Reddy said the Ministry was following the similar approach for TC Ana at a national level and detailed assessments were ongoing to map out areas, spread and quantum of impact on the agriculture sector.

He also informed the House of Government’s ability to secure over $FJD1m of UN Central Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) for life saving agriculture and fisheries activities also through FAO.

“From this funds, 2200 Agricultural households and 1200 Fishing households will be provided with a basic package to help them restart their economic activity.

“Key priority items will cover provision of planting materials, tools and materials for food security and agricultural households while fisherman’s will be provided with fishing gears, freezers as well as repair to boats and engines,” Hon. Dr Reddy told Members of Parliament.

-ENDS-

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