Flood-hit firms ask Fiji government for help
![Nadi submerged in floodwaters. [ABC]](http://www.abc.net.au/news/image/3927014-3x2-285x207.jpg "Nadi submerged in floodwaters. [ABC]")
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Nadi submerged in floodwaters. [ABC]
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Businesses in the Fijian city of Nadi are seeking assistance from the interim government to rebuild after last week's devastating floods.
Nadi has lost about $200 million Fijian ($US113 million) from the latest floods on the main island of Viti Levu.
That is an increase from the $149 million Fijian previously estimated.
The tourist hub, home to the international airport, is the third largest city in the country.
Aisea Tuidraki, the special administrator at Nadi Town Council, told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat a number of buildings will need to be rebuilt.
He says businesses are hoping the interim government will find a way of helping them fix the damage.
UN response
Meanwhile, women who have lost vital crops in the flooding will be among the first recipients of a cash-for-work program being run in Fiji.
The scheme is being funded by the UN Development Program, UN Women, and the International Labour Organisation.
The UN Resident Coordinator in Fiji, Knut Ostby, says the jobs are likely to go to people who would have sold the produce at the market in Rakiraki, if the flooding had not destroyed the crops.
"The cash-for-work program will engage 260 vendors in the market," he said.
"It takes a cash for work approach because that allows the vendors themselves to take part...and at the same time adds to their starting capital to start over again after all their losses."
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