23 Sep 2010

French Polynesia hunger strike ends amid Oli claim review

4:18 pm on 23 September 2010

A hunger strike in French Polynesia over the slow reconstruction after Cyclone Oli has ended.

27 people of a group calling itself the Forgotten of Oli called off their action after a government delegation arrived on the island of Tubuai and said that their grievances would be considered.

However, the labour minister, Lana Tetuanui, has told a Tahiti newspaper that claimants wanted to take advantage of the help being offered to cyclone victims.

However, the mayor of Tubuai, said some people are unhappy because their needs were ignored while the authorities gave assistance to those who had no urgent needs.

Hundreds of homes were damaged or destroyed by the cyclone and about 100 homes have been re-built.