For example, chlorine monitoring is rarely practised, yet chlorination is essential for piped water and emergency carted water. A high standard must be maintained in construction of VIP pit latrines which replace disused cistern or flush toilets, and also in excreta disposal to avoid exposure to disease transmission with the return of rains. All solid waste should be adequately disposed of in order to avoid mosquito problems when the rain arrives. Improved bacteriological monitoring and follow up at the source of contamination and an expanded Bore Hole Subsidy Scheme with an emphasis on private sector drilling are recommended. No post-disaster mitigation initiatives were planned following the five consecutive natural disasters preceding this one, with the possible exception of river dredging.
Consequently farmers are extremely vulnerable.
The May forecast for the sugar cane industry estimates a loss in revenue of FD 104 million. Sugar is grown on the leeward Western halves of the two main islands of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. The worst affected areas are the marginal lands closest to the sea and those planted on slopes 12 degrees and greater, unsuitable for cultivation, exposed to fire hazard from nearby forests, and vulnerable to adverse climatic conditions. The worst affected population are the farm-dependent families totally reliant on the success of the growers who own or lease the land. For the 12,000 growers surveyed by the Government, there are 16,800 farm-dependent families.