Source: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Aid and Development – Press Release/Statement:
Headline: Cyclone Winston: New Zealand helps Fiji
New Zealand is continuing to help Fiji in the aftermath of Cyclone Winston with skilled staff, transportation and essential relief supplies.
Dozens of people died in the Category 5 cyclone which hit on 21 February, and at least 55,000 people are still in evacuation centres.
As well as extensive damage to buildings, water and electricity supplies have been badly affected by the most damaging cyclone in Fiji’s history.
With crops also suffering significant damage, food supply is a key concern alongside shelter and sanitation.
Progress has been made in the 10 days since the cyclone, with repairs to more than 1000 schools allowing them to be reopened. About another 180 schools are still closed because of damage.
Fiji National University campuses will be operational from 2 March. Most jetties have also been repaired.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Murray McCully, visited Fiji on 29 February to discuss the response with the Fiji Government and look at how New Zealand can support recovery efforts.
He announced an increase of $1.5 million in aid from New Zealand, bringing New Zealand’s post-cyclone aid to $4.7 million.
The aid funding so far covers:
- relief supplies and technical teams, with nearly 500 New Zealanders working on the aid effort in Fiji by the end of this week
- support to the Fiji National Disaster Management Office to support Fiji Government operations
- support to New Zealand NGOs with local partners providing relief and recovery assistance on the ground.
In total, 163 tonnes of priority emergency goods have or are being transported to Fiji, including:
- 7,400 tarpaulins and 698 tents/shelter kits
- 4855 ten-litre and 20-litre water bottles
- 35 generators
- 36 water tanks
- 625 chainsaw and tool kits
- 1000 water and sanitation (WASH) kits
- 24 tonnes of food
- 60 tonnes of construction supplies.
The support staff include 37 New Zealand Defence Force engineers, and six Fire Service engineers, who are assessing and repairing schools and roads on Viti Levu.
HMNZS Wellington arrived in Fiji on Sunday carrying relief supplies and crew to check which beaches will be suitable for vessels from HMNZS Canterbury to use once it arrives on Wednesday night.
How you can help
New Zealanders respond generously to support Pacific neighbours in times of emergency.
If you wish to support people affected by Cyclone Winston, the best thing to donate is money, but not clothing, food or other goods, to an emergency appeal.
Aid organisations working in Fiji are assessing what else is needed. Where possible they will source supplies from close to the affected area, which is the most efficient and cost-effective way of getting help to those who need it.
The National Disaster Relief Forum has details about appeals by NGOs. The New Zealand Red Cross also has an appeal.
The Fiji Government has set up bank accounts for international and local donations.
It says the funds will be used directly to benefit Fijians who have been left homeless, without adequate food, water and essential services.
Donated goods can often be difficult to handle for a country recovering from a disaster.
They can be time-consuming and difficult to store, transport and distribute. Sometimes the cost of transporting goods can be more expensive than the value of the goods.
It’s best to only donate goods that have been asked for by an aid agency.
Before organising a collection of donated goods:
• find out whether the goods are needed on the ground and if they are appropriate for the country
• make sure you have a good understanding of all costs involved, including freight to the country, transport within the country, and any wharf, handling and customs charges
• make sure you have a clear plan for the goods once they arrive in the affected country, including people who will take responsibility for the logistics and costs of collecting, storing, sorting and distributing the goods.
If you want some more advice about planned fundraising activities and donations, please email publicoffers@mfat.govt.nz.