By Eliza Kukutu
By Eliza Kukutu
For the first time since Cyclone Namu in 1986, the government will be taking a shelter recovery approach as part of its response to the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Maila on affected communities.
This was confirmed by the Chairman of the National Disaster Council (NDC), David Hiriasia, at a recent press conference.
He says the shelter recovery programme will see the construction of more than 1,300 houses for people whose homes were severely destroyed by Tropical Cyclone Maila.
“It will be standard two-bedroom houses. The design for the houses will also cater for expansion, allowing homeowners to extend the houses when they want to.
“We are also exploring options for importing prefab houses. So, we are looking at each house costing about $30,000 to $60,000 per house, meaning the project will cost millions of dollars.”
Hiriasia confirmed that funding for the ambitious plan is included in the recently passed 2025 Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2026, with additional funding to be sought when needed.
Meanwhile, authorities are now working on plans for how the construction will be carried out and are calling on communities to be patient, given the time it will take to implement the shelter recovery plan.
“This is something we’ve never done before, and we really need to plan out everything before implementing it, so it will take time. Data needs to be validated to make sure that houses are given to those who really deserve them.
“So I ask for everyone’s patience as we work towards this.”
The council will discuss and agree on the house designs and bills of quantities before putting the plan before Cabinet for final endorsement.
Hiriasia said this will also give time for the supplementary budget to go through the process of being gazetted so that funds can be made available.
While planning processes are ongoing, the actual construction of the houses is expected to begin next year.
ENDS//
