Aid distribution underway in Fiji post cyclone

The clean up and distribution of aid is underway in Fiji following Cyclone Josie, as schools in worst affected areas remain closed.

Four people died and one person is still missing after the cyclone brought severe weather to Fiji as a Category 1 storm over the weekend.

The western half of the main island Viti Levu was worst hit by widespread flooding.

The Fiji Red Cross has been busy giving out aid like dignity kits, hygiene packs, jerry cans, and solar lights to those worst affected

People are still taking shelter in evacuation centres.

Nadi houses the most evacuees, with 471 people making use of eight evacuation centres in the town.

The National Disaster Office said it was working hard to restore power and water.

Most roads are now clear and back in use, but some roads still have debris to be cleared or damage that needs repairing.

The Fiji government has distributed emergency food and is hoping for fine weather in the coming days to assist in the clear up, although a heavy rain alert remains in force.

The National Federation Party leader Biman Prasad said the Western Division needed to be declared a disaster zone.

Professor Prasad said initial assessments by his team showed the level of flood damage was worse than that of previous floods.

He said the damage was massive and the government should consider rehabilitation packages for people who are now worse off.

"To have a very good co-ordinated efficient and effective relief effort, the government needs to declare that area as a disaster area so that proper assessments and relief efforts and proper rehabilitation efforts can be put in place."

 

Photo Fiji Village. caption" Flooding in Ba town