Disaster Response Fiji Project #23265

Emergency Relief for Fiji After Cyclone Winston

by Action Change (Formerly GVI Trust)

Emergency Relief for Fiji After Cyclone Winston

Project Report | Apr 7, 2016
An update on our initial relief work in Fiji

By Kate Robey | Charitable Trust Operations Manager

Distributing supplies

Dear Supporters,

At its peak, Cyclone Winston was estimated to have sustained winds of around 230Kmph (143mph), gusting to 325 kmph (202mph), making it the second strongest hurricane ever recorded around the world.

The path of destruction caused catastrophic damage throughout the nation. Entire villages were flattened with thousands of homes lost and in many of the worst affected areas, 100% of the crops were destroyed having a devastating impact on food security and income generation. There was also extensive damage to infrastructure which has limited access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities, damaged electricity supply and cut off remote areas as many roads, bridges and wharfs require significant repair.

A destructive force of this strength brings devastation to any country. However, the heavy reliance rural Fijian communities have on their land makes the challenges they face even more dire. Most rural communities have open water systems, meaning their supply of safe drinking water is now in question. As well as having such a strong cultural and spiritual connection to their land, many rural communities rely on generational plantations for the majority of their food supply, trading small amounts for a small income.

The powerful rushes of water that accompanied the cyclone, some up to forty feet high, forced many communities to frantically evacuate to higher ground, leaving their personal possessions behind.These vulnerable communities require extensive emergency aid. Initially, they need to be supplied with food, drinking water, shelter and clothing to be able to start the mammoth task of rebuilding their communities and their lives.

During the initial few days after TC Winston devastated the Dawasamu District, GVI Fiji requested 6185.78 FJD (approx 2000 GBP) of the funds raised to spend on urgent relief items. An initial assessment was carried out at Silana Village, Naisinu Village and Lolomolevu Settlement, in Dawasamu District, Tailevu.

Ahead of the Government rations arriving to the Evacuation Centre at Navunisea District School, GVI was able to provide:

Basic food items such as flour, rice, lentils and tinned fish.
Household products to help improve hygiene practices including antibacterial soap, washing detergent, bleach and dish soap.
Basic wound dressing kits including gauze, antiseptic solution, micropore tape, cotton wool and bandages.
To prevent further injuries when clearing the debris a portion of the funds were used to purchase 22 pairs of safety boots, 34 sets of gloves and 38 protective masks, as well as basic construction tools including shovels, rakes, pinch bars, tin snips, nails, rope, cable ties and hammers.
40 tarpaulins for temporary shelter
Repairs to a chainsaw that was damaged by the floodwaters.
A basic radio phone for the evacuation centre to provide a communication line to Suva.
Water security was highlighted as a priority by the GVI team immediately after the cyclone and funds were also allocated towards reinstalling two 5300L rainwater-harvesting tanks that had been disconnected and damaged during TC Winston.

GVI Fiji is working closely with local authorities on relief assistance and will continue to fill in the gaps as the aid arrives from other International NGO’s, humanitarian agencies and governments.

Currently, Fiji is still under a 60-day state of natural disaster but the focus shifts from the initial response phase and looks towards recovery. GVI Fiji plans to spend remaining funds on longer term projects and initiatives which will help community members rebuild their lives.

Thank you for your support and generosity.

With Gratitude,

GVI Fiji

We provided basic safety equipment for the cleanup

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Mar 4, 2016
Update from the Fiji Team

By Kate Robey | Charitable Trust Operations Manager

Dividing supplies between the villages

Bula Vinaka!

Firstly, we would like to thank everyone who has been in touch with messages of support over the past week. We have been trying hard to pass on as many of these messages to the effected communities as possible.

We would also like to say a huge Vinaka Vaka Levu to all those people who have donated to our fundraising pages. Hopefully, the following update with help give you all an idea of how the funds are being used so far.

BABALE BASE UPDATE

- We visited Silana, Naisinu and Lolomolevu for the first time since the cyclone on Wednesday last week. The level of destruction caused by TC Winston was distressing to see with the majority of house being completely destroyed in the coastal villages of Dawasamu. We were also told many stories by community members about the terror they faced as the cyclone took hold of the district.

- The staff team have been working with the village and district nurses to provide first aid to those injured by debris. GVI have purchased basic first aid supplies with donations and have been helping to clean and dress wounds to try and fight off infection

- A huge priority for the team at the moment is to promote safe WASH practice to help prevent the risk of illness and disease. GVI have been working with community members to improve water security by helping to purify water and reconnect Rainwater tanks. We’ve also been working with the children to promote the importance of hand washing.

- Building shelter is also a huge priority for the community and GVI have used donations to purchase tarpaulins, safety boots, gloves, shovels, masks, hammers, tin snips and rakes to assist in the mammoth clean up and construction of temporary housing

- Sadly our beautiful base has been almost entirely washed away by Winston. So for now the team are travelling from Suva every other day to assist the communities however we can. As soon as we can arrange alternative accommodation we will resume a full time presence in Dawasamu District.

CAQALAI BASE UPDATE

- After spending a week in Suva the Marine team travelled back to Caqalai yesterday to start clearing up and repairing the damage to the island. We were very lucky to only experience superficial damage to the base. Building materials and food supplies have been purchased by GVI for the Caqalai community and are on the way to the island today

- Once we are up and running the team will start assessing how we can provide support to nearby communities affected by the cyclone. We hope to be able to provide our many sets of hands to assist in clearing up and basic first aid on the ground

- Our dive team will also be focusing on assessing the damage to the reef systems around Caqalai and Moturiki as this will likely impact on food security

- Current assessment reports suggest that the schools on Moturiki did not experience significant damage so we are hoping to resume our presence in the 2 primary schools as soon as possible

SUVA UPDATE

- Back in Suva the team have been working hard to try and coordinate our assistance with the many Government agencies and NGO’s who are responding to this crisis. We’ve been attending regular coordination meetings and identifying opportunities where we can use the long term relationships we have with our nearby communities to make a difference in the relief effort

Thank you all once again for your support! We will continue to provide updates as often as possible during this busy time.

TC Winston has caused devastation in Fiji and we are doing everything we possibly can to help

Vinaka vaka levu

From the GVI Fiji team

Loading up the emergency supplies

Dressing wounds

Accessing the damage

Damaged water tanks

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