Most Recent Disaster Declaration:
Floods, 04-01-2012
Heavy rains beginning in late March caused flooding throughout Fiji, particularly affecting western areas of Viti Levu, the country’s main island. As of April 3, the floods had resulted in seven deaths and forced approximately 12,000 people from their homes, according to the U.S. Embassy in Suva. Disruptions to the country’s water and electricity infrastructure impacted an additional 150,000 people. The floods also damaged roads and bridges, limiting access to affected communities. The Government of Fiji (GoF) National Disaster Management Office and the Fiji Red Cross Society (FRCS) immediately provided assistance to displaced populations residing in evacuation centers.
On April 1, U.S. Ambassador Frankie A. Reed declared a disaster due to the effects of the floods. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $150,000 through the U.S. Embassy in Suva to the FRCS to procure and distribute emergency relief supplies, including blankets, hygiene kits, and water purification tablets, to the most affected individuals.
Additional Disaster Declarations:
Floods, 01-25-2012
Heavy rains beginning on January 22 resulted in floods and landslides in Fiji, particularly affecting western Viti Levu—Fiji’s main island—and western areas of Vanua Levu island. As of January 24, the floods and landslides had resulted in six deaths and displaced approximately 3,500 people to 74 evacuation centers, according to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The floods also damaged crops and houses and resulted in several road closures in western Fiji. On January 26, the GoF declared a state of disaster in several locations in western Viti Levu, enabling the GoF to provide further resources for response and clean-up efforts. FRCS assessments indicated a need for relief commodities—particularly water, sanitation, and hygiene items—in evacuation centers.
On January 25, U.S. Ambassador Frankie A. Reed declared a disaster due to the effects of the floods. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $50,000 through the U.S. Embassy in Suva to FRCS to procure and distribute emergency relief supplies, including blankets, hygiene kits, and water purification tablets, to the most affected individuals. USAID/OFDA staff in Bangkok, Thailand, and Washington, D.C., monitored the situation closely in conjunction with the U.S. Embassy in Suva.
Tropical Cyclone, March, 17, 2010
Between March 14 and March 16, Tropical Cyclone Tomas, a Category Four storm with wind speeds of up to 130 mph and gusts of up to 175 mph, made landfall on the northern islands of Fiji, causing extensive damage. According to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the storm most affected the northern island groups of Lau and Lomaiviti, as well as Vanua Levu Island. As of March 17, the U.S. Embassy in Suva reported at least one death and the temporary displacement of approximately 18,000 people to 240 evacuation centers. The GoF and international organizations were conducting assessments by boat of outer islands as of March 17. Additionally, the governments of Australia and New Zealand assisted with aerial assessments of damaged areas and providing other air support.
On March 17, U.S. Ambassador C. Steven McGann issued a disaster declaration due to the effects of the tropical cyclone. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $100,000 through the U.S. Embassy in Suva to the Fiji Red Cross Society for the provision of emergency relief supplies to affected populations, including temporary shelter materials, water purification tablets, and water containers.
For information on additional USAID disaster responses, please see OFDA Annual Reports.
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