There are 29 confirmed deaths due to Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston while 1 person is reported to be missing in the Lomaiviti group.
This has been confirmed by the Director of the National Disaster Management Office Akapusi Tuifagalele.
Stay with us as we will have more later today.
Injuries:
The reports of injuries to people stands at 27 in the Western Division, 39 people are reported to be injured while 3 people are hospitalised in the Eastern Division, and 3 people were injured in the Central Division.
These numbers are expected to increase further.
Tuifagalele said they are still awaiting reports from the Northern Division.
Evacuation Centres:
13,193 people are currently sheltering at 274 evacuation centres around the country.
4,880 people are staying at 122 evacuation centres in the Central Division, 6,483 people are staying at 110 evacuation centres in the Western Division, 2,035 evacuees are staying at 33 centres in the Northern Division while 514 people are staying at the evacuation centres in the Eastern Division.
Schools:
About 40 schools have been badly damaged by Tropical Cyclone Winston.
This number is expected to increase further.
Homes Damaged:
315 homes have been destroyed in Lomaiviti while 65 houses were partially damaged.
More reports are expected from all the divisions as the DISMAC assessment teams are on the ground.
Rebuilding Stage:
The government is hoping to get international assistance to rebuild the homes of those people who lost everything after Tropical Cyclone Winston and do not have any other means to build their houses again.
DISMAC Director Akapusi Tuifagalele said they need immediate assistance to ensure that the people who are severely affected, are provided with temporary shelter.
Tuifagalele said the rebuilding phase will be a massive task.
Calls have been made for everyone to work together to provide the much needed assistance to our fellow Fijians who are in desperate need of food, water, clothing and shelter.
PM Visits Evacuation Centre:
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama gave some food ration packs to the people taking shelter at Nasinu Sangam School.
There are nine families staying at the evacuation centre after they were affected by Tropical Cyclone Winston.
Family loses breadwinner in TC Winston
A family of four in Lakena Nausori is still in shock as the family has lost its only breadwinner after the Monster Cyclone Winston.
42-year-old Premila Devi says the roof of their house was blown away in strong winds on Saturday and they were forced to take shelter at her mother’s house in the same area.
Devi says her 51-year-old husband Brij Bhan had gone to check the remains of their house yesterday when he suddenly collapsed.
The mother of three says her husband must have been stressed thinking how he was going to support his family.
Devi says she does not know how she will support her three children.
She is pleading to members of the public for help as the family is left with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
Student's experience
“Some of us stood up the whole night in the midst of the cyclone while others slept close by”.
Those are the words of Osea Kaulotu who is a form 3 student at Queen Victoria School.
Kaulotu says some of the students ran for their lives to look for shelter while some ended up running all the way to RKS to find a place to stay.
He added that despite the destruction, no one was hurt.
Meanwhile, the rooftops of classrooms were blown away and the teachers’ quarters were badly damaged.
Helping Hand
The Fijian Government has established bank accounts to receive financial donations in the wake of this crisis.
These funds will be used to directly benefit those Fijians who have been left homeless, without adequate food, water and essential services – especially those in rural and maritime communities.
Donations can be made through bank accounts and donors will not be charged any fees, including overseas transactions.
International and local donations can be made through the following account:
Bank: Australia New Zealand Banking Corporation
Account Number: 12628523
Account Name: Prime Minister’s National Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation: Cyclone Winston
Swift Code: ANZ BFJFX
BSB: 010 890
Local donations can be made through the following accounts:
Bank: Westpac Banking Corporation
Account Number: 9806094927
Account Name: Prime Minister’s National Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation: Cyclone Winston
Bank: Bank of the South Pacific
Account Number: 80399804
Account Name: Prime Minister’s National Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation: Cyclone Winston
Bank: Home Finance Corporation Bank
Account Number: 17822 s10
Account Name: Prime Minister’s National Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation: Cyclone Winston
Please give generously to your fellow Fijians during this difficult time through any of the accounts. Every dollar donated will make a difference for the Fijian Government’s continued work helping all affected Fijians recover from this tragedy.
