Fiji Regime concedes 58 families are refugees

Fiji Regime concedes 58 families are refugees

Thu, 1 Mar 2001 09:39:01 +1200

PEOPLE'S COALITION GOVERNMENT, FIJI Issue No: 530 1 March 2001

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Regime concedes 58 Naitasiri/Tailevu farmers still refugees

The Qarase regime has conceded that 58 families from the Muaniweni and Dawasamu areas are still refugees staying in refugee camps or with relatives outside these areas.

In a media report, the regime states that it has provided $184,000 worth of rations to the farmers and has promised funds ranging from $1 to $5,000 per family for materials for house reconstruction. The regime confirmed, according to a Fiji Times report, that 13 families who returned still haven't been paid $58,000 housing assistance costs.

But despite the assistance promised, 58 families have still not taken up these offers.

The regime, however, says that "about 30" families have returned in January.

Independent reports hold that many families which returned were harassed by the villagers and were forced to go back to their previous sanctuaries.

Speight terrorist bands had raided and pillaged the two settlements between 19 May and 13 July last year.

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