Crowds of families queued at the government's Treasury today waiting to get cash handouts in the form of cheques from a government account.

The people waiting for the handouts said their homes were either damaged or destroyed by severe Tropical Cyclone Gita in February. The hand out by the Ministry of Finance they said aimed to help them rebuild their homes.

However, the list of names in this distribution has not been released by the Ministry of Finance. It is widely believed among the recipients that the money is being taken from funds donated for cyclone relief. Most donor funding was given to different working clusters and this portion was to be allocated to affected families, who received various amounts, according to the severity of the damages to their homes.

Families were seen lining up firstly at Treasury and then at BSP bank to cash their cheques.

Talking to some families today, Sela Sauaki (77) from Fua’amotu said she received $500 pa'anga to fix her roof which was blown off by Cyclone Gita.

Afa Takai of Tofoa who got the same amount, said he was thankful for this because it would help repair his damaged roof and part of his wall that was knocked down by the cyclone.

Uatekini Ma’umalanga of Vaini who was waiting for his $500 cheque at Treasury, said this would help him repay a loan that he got to repair his roof and doors.

Meanwhile, Tali and Salome Teu of Fangaloto received a $3,000 cheque after their home was demolished by the cyclone. “We live together with our four children and since the cyclone have moved and stayed with relatives. We are happy with the funds, this will help to buy building materials for our home,” they said.

Not included

However, other families whose homes were damaged were not included on the distribution list.

Mele Laukau Deale of Fangaloto said her home was damaged but she was disappointed her name was not on the list.

"I have taken this up with the town officer and he advised me to go straight to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and put my name on the list. I have gone to the office and they advised me that someone would come around to survey my home," she said.

Kalolaine Taufa, Nukunuku said she was waiting at the Treasury to receive $1,500 pa'anga as shown on a list from her town officer.

"I am here with my son, our home including our roof and water gutters were damaged by a fallen tree. She said they only brought their national ID and was just advised by Treasury that they require a letter from the town officer. So we are still sorting this out," she said.

It is not known yet how long this distribution will continue or who is the donor funding agency, but it is understood that the cash handouts to the listed people started this week.