Highlights
• Some 23,850 people have received wash, sanitation and hygiene supplies.
• Approximately 24,000 houses have been damaged or destroyed across the affected areas.
• Over 55,439 people are still sheltering in evacuation centres.
• In Nausori District 58 per cent of the schools do not have access to electricity.
Situation Overview
The Government of Fiji and humanitarian partners continue emergency response operations across the affected areas. The Flash Appeal for the Cyclone Winston response will be launched on 4 March in Suva, and will provide an overview of the needs and direction of response over the next three months. Although emergency life-saving interventions remain a priority for the Government-led Clusters, early recovery and infrastructure repair work, including road repair, debris clearance and restoration of electricity supply, are scaling up.
Most agencies have distributed the majority of their relief stock, and will need funding to procure the second wave of supplies and cover the remaining humanitarian needs.
General Coordination
The Fiji Government is leading the response to the emergency. The National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) is coordinating efforts and has activated National and Divisional Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs). A 30 day State of Natural Disaster has been declared and will expire on March 21. National Clusters have been tasked with identifying specific needs and working in cooperation with international and national partners to ensure gaps are covered. The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) is providing technical advice and support to the Fiji Government, agencies and partners.
The establishment of informal working groups on Communication with Communities, and Public Information and Media has been endorsed by the Permanent Secretary for Communication and Information Technology. Meeting invitations will be sent out next week.