Caritas ready as Cyclone Winston hits Fiji

Cyclone Winston supplies. Credit. CANZ

Cyclone Winston supplies. Credit. CANZ

The impact of Cyclone Winston on Fiji has been severe as the Pacific nation was lashed with very destructive hurricane force winds Saturday gusting to 300 kilometers per hour.

The category five storm is thought to be the biggest to ever hit the Southern Hemisphere and has left a trail of destruction in its wake as it moves west away from Fiji. Houses and roads have been damaged in Fiji, flooding reported in low lying areas and coastal inundation likely.

Many cities are still without power and running water. Relief efforts are being complicated by poor communications.

The cyclone wreaked havoc in the Tongan islands of Vava’u and Ha’apai on Friday. More than 2500 people were evacuated.

Caritas are responding with emergency supplies in Tonga and are ready to respond as needed in Fiji as needs become clearer.

“Winston has left behind extensive damage to homes, public offices, businesses, trees, crops, roads, electricity lines, telephones and bridges,”said Iosefo Nainima, Archdiocese of Suva’s Director for Justice and Development.

“Most of the villages along its path are completely destroyed with sea walls washed away. The most immediate needs would be tarpaulin, blankets, food, farming equipment and seedlings for vegetables,” he said, speaking from Suva.

Due the threat from climate change in Oceania region and to the increased risks from the current El Nino weather pattern, Caritas had already pre-positioned a large quantity of emergency supplies in Tonga. “Preparing communities to be first-responders in emergencies is a fundamental part of our humanitarian work, and makes a significant difference when natural disasters hit,” said Mark Mitchell, Senior Humanitarian Programmes Coordinator for Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand.

Tonga response

  • Tarpaulins for temporary shelter delivered to Vava’u and distributed by local volunteers that have been trained by Caritas
  • Pre-positioned emergency supplies are being sent Vava’u and Ha’apai
  • Caritas in Tonga coordinating with staff in Vava’u and Ha’apai to monitor situation and assess damage and needs

Fiji response

  • Caritas network prepared to respond as needed
  • Assessments of needs being made Monday, 22 February

Crispin Anderlini, Communications, Marketing & Fundraising Advisor

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand

DDI: +64 4 496 1795 | MOB: +64 21 190 9908

crispin@caritas.org.nz

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