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National | Fiji

Fiji in State of Emergency following Cyclone Winston

Fiji is in a state of emergency and concern for the wellbeing of those directly affected and still out of contact continues to grow.

The Category 5 storm, Cyclone Winston hammered the islands at the weekend with winds exceeding 200 kilometres an hour.

The worst storm on record in Fiji tore through the main and outer islands leaving many people homeless and without clean food or water supply.

A number of agencies have activated and are doing their best to assist those most affected.

Melanie Ogle, a New Zealander with Red Cross in Suva says Fiji Red Cross is a strong organisation and is already responding to the damage caused by Cyclone Winston.

“Over 300 Fiji Red Cross staff and volunteers of have so far been mobilised to support at-risk communities and people in evacuation centres. Volunteers are trained in emergency response and propositioned relief aid was on hand.”

Meanwhile the Fiji Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism, Hon. Faiyaz Siddiq Koya has confirmed all guests currently visiting Fiji are safe.

Minister Koya says, “there are no reports of any significant structural damage to the majority of hotels in Viti Levu, except for some properties in the Rakiraki area.”

He says, “Cyclone Winston has caused extensive damage to the communications infrastructure, hence, mobile and Internet communications in some parts of Fiji maybe affected. However, communication is active in Suva, Nadi, Denarau and along the Coral Coast.”

While there have been reports that up to ten people have died as a result of the storm, Te Kāea has contacted Government officials and is still awaiting official confirmation.

The Minister says that as soon as flights resume, Fiji Airways will prioritise guests who want to go back home and flights are expected to be normalized by Monday, 22 February 2016.