UNICEF delivers emergency aid to Fiji

UNICEF NZ (UN Children’s Fund)

Media Release

UNICEF delivers emergency aid to Fiji in wake of cyclone

Wellington, 23 March 2010. – UN Children’s Fund staff are delivering essential emergency supplies in the wake of a category four cyclone that hit Fiji on 15 March, leaving three people dead, 433 homes completely destroyed, 4,000 households affected and at least 25 schools damaged. All evacuation centres have now been closed.

Tim Sutton, UNICEF Pacific Deputy Representative, says there is fear of an outbreak of waterborne disease.

“Many normal water sources have been fouled by sea surge and people are drawing their water from rainwater tanks or from streams. However, there is very little tank water remaining and the stream source is considered to be unclean.

“Two UNICEF sanitation and hygiene experts will be arriving tonight to help with water and sanitation issues.”

UNICEF staff in Fiji are providing emergency aid, including sanitation supplies. The first wave of pre-positioned UNICEF emergency supplies have already been distributed – these include 12,900 bars of soap, 1,300 water containers, 15 health kits, tents and education kits. Further supplies will be distributed over the coming days.  UNICEF is also broadcasting hygiene and sanitation messages on the radio.

Mr Sutton says that today, UNICEF staff will be moving more tents out to damaged or destroyed schools and health centres.

UNICEF is the lead UN agency in the key areas of water, sanitation and hygiene, protection and nutrition.

UNICEF Pacific has assisted child-centred projects in the Pacific since the 1950s.

People can donate to UNICEF NZ’s Emergency Fund on 0800 800 194 or online at www.unicef.org.nz

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