SECURITY was tightened at the Fiji National Provident Fund office in Labasa after a mad rush by members for flood assistance.

The heat and long hours of waiting spilled over into confrontation between some members as they argued to get ahead in the queue.

Station officer Labasa Daniele Lawakeli said six officers were sent after a request came from FNPF management for police to be stationed at their office to provide security and calm the situation.

"We know the situation is getting heated because everyone wants to be served and get some money," Mr Lawakeli said.

"On Monday there was a numbering system where people stood in line and went in according to their number to fetch their form and it resulted in a lot of overcrowding," Mr Lawakeli said.

In the Western Division, people rushed to apply for education and relief assistance.

Lare Moceyawa, who applied to withdraw some funds, said most people did not have enough money to sustain themselves.

"What money people have saved is being used for travelling and expenses to get such applications done," he said.

Mr Moceyawa, of Lomolomo Village on the outskirts of Lautoka, said his village was badly affected by the flood.

"We have school starting next week and our children have nothing as everything was destroyed in the flood. Imagine how people will send their children to school and survive on the little money or things they were able to save.

"Trying to get the application done to get my money out of FNPF is a big hassle. We have to get hold of the form first, then fill in the requirements, have it witnessed, stamped by the district officer and then we have to stand in line for hours before we are served.

"Though we are happy with the money given by FNPF during such times of hardship, it involves a lot of running around which uses up more money."

FNPF is allowing an educational withdrawal of $500 with applicants required to have a maximum net salary of $150 a week. The $1000 assistance is for those who have been affected by the flood.

FNPF chief executive Aisake Taito said the assistance would run for two weeks. He said an assessment would be done this week to decide whether to continue or not.

Mr Taito said applications would take 10 days to process considering the amount of applications received.

"We anticipate applications from about 10,000 members," he said.

FNPF board chairman Parmesh Chand said the board's approval was based on the devastation of the flood and to provide members financial relief.

The scheme is open to members who reside in DISMAC flood-declared areas, whose residences have been certified by the DO or provisional administrator to be damaged by flood.

"This assistance is provided for in the Act and the Fund hopes it will provide members relief in addition to what is being handed out by other agencies."

FNPF teams will be deployed and based at the district officers' offices in Rakiraki, Ba, Nadi, Sigatoka and Nausori to receive members' applications.

By THERESA RALOGAIVAU, SHEETAL SINGH, RITESHNI SINGH