Members of the Fiji Disaster Relief Society (FDRS) of British Columbia worked tirelessly last Sunday, braving Canadian January cold weather standing outside collecting  the funds and issuing receipts to the generous donors, while Vancouver Radio Fiji Mirchi throughout the day was making announcements over the air and FB live encouraging people to come out and donate. Their collective efforts resulted in raising $27,325 for the victim's of those who were affected by Tropical Cyclone Yasa in Fiji last month.

By Irshad Khan

SURREY - A collaborative effort between two Vancouver based organizations-Fiji Disaster Relief Society (FDRS) of British Columbia, and media partner Radio Fiji Mirchi, together with tremendous support and contributions from 1000's of Fijian diasporas living in the vicinity of Vancouver and Surrey, resulted in raising $27,325 for the victim's of those who were affected by Tropical Cyclone Yasa in Fiji last month.

Members of the FDRS worked tirelessly last Sunday, braving Canadian January cold weather standing outside collecting  the funds and issuing receipts to the generous donors, while Vancouver Radio Fiji Mirchi throughout the day was making announcements over the air and FB live encouraging people to come out and donate.

"We started to receive the donations and calls before even commenced emergency relief efforts last Sunday," said Kavin Chand, the President of FDRS. "Cars started to roll in around 10am and occasionally we could see the line-up of cars people willing to donate towards this great cause, which continued till 8pm" added Chand.

FDRS members were dispatched for the collection to those seniors who could not make it to the collection site.

Local sports associations and community based religious organizations also joined hand-in hand to  actively donate towards the cause.

Donors were given option between Fiji PM's relief fund, Habitat Humanity (NGO) and Red Cross Society  to cast their preference.  Majority overwhelmingly decided to donate towards the PM's relief fund.

On behalf of the Prime Minister, Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama Fiji’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) responsible for U.S and Canada, Dr Satyendra Prasad thanked and acknowledged the members of the FDRS, Radio Fiji Mirchi crew and the Fijian community in Canada, for this generous and timely support.

Dr Prasad via email to Fiji News In Canada said "Through this Fund, the Fijian Government is ensuring that food, water and other emergency rations can be distributed by road and sea to all families affected by this Monster Cyclone"

Dr Prasad further thanked Kavin Chand, Kamilla Singh and all officials of the FDRS in British Colombia for their exceptional effort in mobilizing Fiji’s communities across BC and Canada in a short period of time to support this effort in such a generous

He further said, “It’s heartening that so many Canadian residents rose to the occasion; even when they themselves were facing such difficult times and generously contributed to Fiji’s effort to build back better and stronger”.

The Chairperson of FDRS Kamilla Singh said “I am very grateful to the Fijian community in Vancouver and Radio Fiji Mirchi listeners for their contribution and support,  my hearty thanks to each and everyone who supported this great cause"

Previously in 2017, FDRS sent $17,000 to Habitat Humanity, an Australian NGO based in Fiji to build cyclone shelters.