Three Government vessels — Bai Ni Takali, Sigavou, and Veivueti — left for Southern Lau with 80 members of the Government assessment team from different ministries.
These officers will assess the damages caused by Tropical Cyclones Sarai and Tino on the islands.
Acting Commissioner Eastern Inoke Tuiwainunu said the assessment teams were divided into two.
“A team on board the Bai Ni Takali will be going to Moala, Matuku and Totoya and the team on Sigavou and Veivueti will start from Ono-i-Lau,” he said.
This trip, he said, was postponed because of Tropical Cyclone Tino.
He said the Sigavou and Veivueti would be following each other as one of the vessels was carrying relief supplies and the other the assessment team.
A team from the Republic of the Fiji Military Forces, he said, was also part of the team.
Second Lieutenant Savenaca Lasaro said his team would be delivering the relief supplies and also to carry out an assessment of damages by the two cyclones.
According to Mr. Wainunu reports he had received showed that damages were done by TC Sarai and not TC Tino.
The Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Disaster Management, and Meteorological Services, Jone Usamate, farewelled the government officials deployed to the Southern Lau Group to provide relief supplies to TC Sarai and TC Tino affected families.
He wished them well and reminded them that they were there to serve the people.
Mr. Usamate also thanked them for leaving their families and giving their time to help the affected people in Southern Lau.
He also thanked the Government of New Zealand for the help it gave for the trip.
The New Zealand High Commissioner in Fiji Jonathan Curr was also at the farewell.
He said New Zealand was happy with its contribution and sent his regards to the affected families.
Mr. Kerr said New Zealand, Australia, and Fiji always cared for one another.
He also wished them well on their trip.
Mr. Wainunu said the trip would be for seven to nine days.
