Venkat Raman
New Zealanders are yet again demonstrating their compassion and readiness to help people in distress, especially the victims of the recent Tropical Cyclones and resultant floods in Fiji.
Two containers, both 20 feet long, left the shores of Auckland for Fiji on April 26, 2018, containing essential supplies donated by people from various parts of Auckland.
Volunteers have been helping in the efforts by collecting food items, other ration supplies, items of children, books and stationery and so on.
Two men are behind the latest efforts- Fiji’s Honorary Consul in Auckland Harish Lodhia and businessman Jagdish Punja.
Four Containers to go
Mr Lodhia said that the aim was to send at least four 20-feet containers carrying useful material for the cyclone-torn Fiji and affected people.
“We are grateful a number of agencies and to the people of New Zealand for their timely help and support. Our government is doing its best to rehabilitate people affected. We hope to send two 20-feet containers next week,” he said.
Mr Lodhia said that the containers are stationed at 66A Stoddard Road in Mt Roskill and will be open this weekend from 10 am to 6 pm.
Goods at low prices
Mr Punja said that a wholesale warehouse has offered below its normal warehouse price to those purchasing goods for the ‘Fiji Flood Appeal.’
“My Company, J Punja NZ Limited is located at 31 Ha Crescent in Wiri, Auckland. Anyone can pay online giving their name, mentioning that the purchase is ‘Fiji Flood Relief.’ Thereafter, we will send the invoice and deliver free of cost to the container. Alternatively, you can purchase goods from anywhere and deliver the items to our Centre in Wiri,” he said.
Mr Punja said that clothes should be packed in cartons and any food donated should be non-perishable and contain unexpired items.
For further details, please contact Jagdish Punja on 022-6848200.
Photo :
- Harish Lodhia carrying a suitcase containing supplies as Jagdish Punja (standing inside a Container looks on)
- A volunteer sealing cartons containing supplies inside a Container
(Pictures supplied)
