Highlights
The Government and humanitarian partners have provided more than 30,000 people with WASH supplies.
Some 18,600 people remain in 555 evacuation centres, of which 23 are schools.
According to the Government, all major roads are now passable, although some only by four-wheel drive vehicles.
The cost of repairs to schools is estimated at US $23.8 million
Situation Overview
Government Ministries continue carrying out in-depth assessments, with only the most inaccessible areas still lacking complete assessment data. However, a comprehensive overview of damage, needs and response is not yet available. The number of people in evacuation centres continues to decrease: as of 9 March, 18,600 people remain in 555 centres. Many have returned to their communities as schools re-opened across the country. Twentythree education facilities are still functioning as evacuation centres. In the Eastern Division, the number of evacuees has remained relatively constant at nearly 10,000. IOM, in partnership with the Fiji Bureau of Statistics, has rolled out the Evacuee Tracking Matrix (ETM) and is expecting to receive preliminary data this week.
While there has not been a market assessment done in the food security sector, markets are largely functioning, as most supermarkets have reopened, and remittances are being accessed. Even on the outer islands, there are reports of deliveries of goods. At the same time, the likely gap between the initial food distributions and the harvest from newly-planted seeds and seedlings is a growing concern. Even with cash-for-work programmes designed to clear debris from agricultural land to allow rapid re-planting, supplementary food assistance is likely to be required over the next several months.