Archive _{- April 2002}

SUVA, Fiji Islands (April 26, 2002 – Radio Australia)---Fiji's Ministry of Social Welfare has recorded an increase in the number of people applying for family assistance allowances.

New applications for allowances stand at 8,280, a significant increase over figures recorded in previous years.

The slump in the Fiji economy -- sparked by the May 2000 coup -- has been held largely responsible for the increase, as widespread layoffs forced people to seek government help.

The ministry also reported large numbers of displaced farmers and elderly people applying for the assistance funds.

In addition to providing financial support, the department is helping address welfare issues by offering volunteer counseling services.

For additional reports from Radio Australia, go to PACIFIC ISLANDS REPORT News/Information Links: Radio/TV News/Radio Australia.

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (April 28, 2002 - Post-Courier/PINA Nius Online)---Foresters, non-government organization representatives, community leaders and donor representatives from Papua are expected to arrive in Papua New Guinea today.

They will be on a 10-day visit to see and learn from the work of the Papua New Guinea Eco-forestry Forum and NGO members involved in eco-forestry activities.

The visit is designed to help the Papuans set up a similar organization and activities.

The 14-member delegation includes stakeholders of a new NGO forestry forum being developed in the Indonesian province following the granting of more autonomy by Jakarta.

During the visit, the delegation will also be briefed on the progress of forest certification in PNG.

They will visit a community-scale project to become familiar with the activities of NGOs working with local communities.

They will also visit wildlife management areas and other eco-enterprises...

CONGRESSMAN ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD Delegate from Guam U.S. House of Representatives Washington, D.C.

NEWS RELEASE April 26, 2002

TO ADDRESS UNEXPLODED ORDNANCE
AND MILITARY DISCARDS ON GUAM

Congressman Robert A. Underwood's amendment to address unexploded ordnance in Guam was included in the Defense Department's Fiscal Year 2003 budget during Friday’s mark-up of the bill by the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Readiness.

The amendment would establish a single point of contact at the Department of Defense for policy and budgeting issues regarding unexploded ordnance and discarded military munitions.

"This is a landmark move," the Congressman said, adding that he worked with a number of organizations in Washington to develop the amendment.

"This will help facilitate the cleanup of ordnance on Guam, and help other communities across the country. When unexploded ordnance issues are confronted, instead of dealing with...

SUVA, Fiji Islands (April 26, 2002 - Fiji Times/PINA Nius Online)---A Fiji government delegation will visit the families of six people who died in a landslide on Rabi Island.

[SEE: Rabi Villagers Dig But Fail To Save Six In Landslide]

"We are expecting them just before lunch and they will be here to visit the two families who lost their relatives in the landslide,'' said Rabi Council secretary Molly Amon.

"After the visit the council is expected to call a meeting with the ministers to discuss the needs of the island.''

The government delegation is expected to include Health Minister Pita Nacuva and assistant Works Minister Simione Kaitani.

Mrs. Amon said islanders were eager to receive the delegation.

Rabi is the home of people from Banaba in Kiribati, who had to leave their own island because of the damage from phosphate mining.

The parents of the four children who died in the landslide are receiving medical attention at the...