UNICEF scaling up support for children across Fiji

UNICEF scaling up support for vulnerable children across Fiji

Donate: www.unicef.org.nz/fiji or text FIJI to 2923 to make a $3 donation

UNICEF’s concern continues to grow for the estimated 120,000 children likely to have been directly affected by tropical cyclone Winston that ripped through Fiji last weekend.

UNICEF Pacific Senior Communications Assistant, Joseph Hing, travelled with the first shipment of emergency supplies to Koro Island, one of the areas worst affected by Tropical Cyclone Winston. He says of the trip, “The damage to Koro Island is extensive and the scale of the destruction is overwhelming. I spoke to countless people who have lost everything. Their lives have been turned utterly upside down.

“I spoke to a grandmother, whose young grandson was nearly swept away by the storm surge. She told me ‘you can lose all your material belongings but what’s more important is our life’”. (Joseph Hing’s full account can be read here and images/video are available here.)

UNICEF is providing an initial response using prepositioned supplies that have been requested by the Government of Fiji. Funding is needed to sustain and scale up this response. Within the first 24 hours of the request of the Government for assistance, UNICEF has taken the following actions.

• 3,000 people in the worst affected areas have been provided with WASH supplies to ensure safe drinking water.
• 995 students of eight schools in the Lau and Lomaiviti groups provided with education supplies, including temporary learning spaces and learning materials.
• Hygiene kits for 7,920 people and water purification tabs for 1,066 household were donated to UNICEF the Australian Government as part of an Australian Defence Force (ADF) airlift.
• Six Emergency health kits, to service a population of 1,000 people for 3 months, as well as tents and education supplies funded by the New Zealand Government have been provided for immediate distribution to worst affected outer islands.

On Wednesday night, health supplies which included vitamin A capsules, oral rehydration salts, zinc tablets and six basic health kits were loaded onto boats departing for Gau Island and Batiki Island. Partially funded by New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), the supplies will be used to prevent infection and illnesses especially in women and children.

UNICEF New Zealand’s Executive Director, Vivien Maidaborn, added, “We are encouraged by the support we’ve seen so far from New Zealanders. The recovery for Fiji is likely to be long and difficult and UNICEF intends to be there every step of the way.

“We know the damage to homes and structures has been significant which will result in the temporary displacement of children and families. 246 evacuation centres (including at least 46 schools) are currently accommodating 22,684 people and many others are staying with relatives or in unofficial shelters.

“With some schools in use as evacuation centres it is expected that education will be also be significantly impacted. Schools are due to be closed for the next two weeks.

“Children, families and communities in Fiji have already suffered so much. We are appealing to generous Kiwis to keep our Pacific neighbours in their hearts and donate what they can so we can continue to help children in Fiji. They need your help now. Please donate what you can at www.unicef.org.nz/fiji”

Donate: www.unicef.org.nz/fiji or text FIJI to 2923 to make a $3 donation

ENDS

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