Cyclone Harold cause significant devastation in the Pacific including remote areas of Fiji. Rotary Clubs in Fiji 15 April handed over F$280,000 worth of assistance for the people of Fiji residing in the Western and Central Divisions who had their houses destroyed during Tropical Cyclone Harold. The provision of the ERKs on Monday and todays handover bring Rotary’s assistance towards TC Harold to over F$0.5 million.
This is a coordinated response led by Rotarians in Fiji, working closely with RNZWCS, NDMO New Zealand Government’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) through its High Commission in Suva and Aquabox Australia.
Rotary Fiji have provided the following items today:
· 216 Rotary Emergency Response Kits (ERK’s) to the Commissioner Western’s Office in Lautoka for damages in the Yasawa Group of islands, Malolo Island and rest of the Western division. We await breakdown for our audit purposes.
· 63 more Rotary Emergency Response Kits (ERK’s) to the NDMO Office in Suva for use in the Central division. Of the 73 ERK’s provided on Monday 13th April, 62 were sent to Vatulele and Beqa today. This 63 will be transported from Commissioner Western's yard to Suva on Saturday (as per our telephone discussion)
· 110 Aquabox ‘Family’ (these are very similar to ERKs packed and distributed by Aquabox Australia, a project of the Rotary Club of Eltham in Victoria, Australia. These have been handed over to NDMO Office in Suva. A list of contents is attached. We await breakdown of distribution for our audit purposes.
· 12 Aquabox ‘30’ containing water purification aid items, each box capable of supporting 150 people for 110 days. These also have been handed over to NDMO Office in Suva. A list of contents is attached. We await breakdown of distribution for our audit purposes.
RNZWCS co-ordinator Stuart Batty and District 9920 Governor Gary Langford based in New Zealand are in regular communication with Rotary Fiji for reports on damage, needs assessment to be able to provide humanitarian assistance required following TC Harold.
Rotary Fiji and RNZWCS based in Christchurch, have been providing humanitarian assistance to communities in Fiji over the last 15 years.
There is an Appeal for funds to help the immediate support needed in the Pacific and to replenish ERKs at www.rnzwcs.org