Distribution of the Aitutaki Appeal to be decided next week

The decision as to how to distribute the donations of $152,515.04 (with more to come) to the Atitutaki families in need after havoc wreaked by cyclone Pat will be deferred until after a public meeting to be held next week.
This is the outcome of the committee meeting held on Thursday night by the Fundraising committee working on the relief appeal for the people of Aitutaki in the aftermath of cyclone.
Originally planned as wrap-up to finalise how much money had been raised with a deadline of that same day and and then sent off for audit by Auditor General Paul Allsworth before distribution.
However, pledges and other donations of money are still coming through, so the committee has deferred making a final decision as to distribution until after the public meeting.
There is some debate as to exactly how to distribute the funds in an equitable and fair manner to those in need. Also to be resolved is what channels to distribute the money, with various options raised by various members of the fundraising committee which is very numerous. Options explored are to channel the funds through the Island Mayor and Konitara, or by direct cash to the people or perhaps through Red Cross but there is no consensus and the committee agreed that it would be best to take it back to the people because it was they who raised the money in the first place.
Aititaki Community chairman, Tereapii Charlie said he advised the fundraising committee that he preferred to have the money remain in the Appeal account without transfer into that of the permanent community committee (double handling).
Elected members on the team are chairman George George, vice-chairman Vaitoti Tupa and treasurer Nga Takaiti with most of the others having volunteered their services and endorsed at the public meeting when the committee was formed.
The chairman said the date of the public meeting will depend on when the financial report and audit of funds has been finalized by Paul Allsworth, but he expects it will be toward the end of next week. He added that the meeting will be well publicized to ensure a good turnout.