Caritas Australia will assist Fiji
Friday, 16 April 2004
Caritas Australia will provide funds to help people devastated by floods in Fiji.
“In addition, we are accepting donations to help the people of Fiji in their
reconstruction and rehabilitation work. Anyone who would like to offer financial
assistance should ring our donation hotline 1800 024 413,” said Mr Jack de Groot,
National Director of Caritas Australia.
"Caritas Australia will work closely with its Fijian partner, CEPAC in responding to the
needs of families left vulnerable because of the floods. We offer our sympathy and
support to the people of Fiji, particularly we offer our prayers for those who lost their
lives and for their families,” Mr de Groot said.
Caritas Australia has in the last year supported emergency disaster preparedness
training with its Pacific partners, including Fiji.
On Thursday Fiji was hit by a downpour of torrential rain only one week after flooding
which left 10 people drowned and a further 11 people missing.
By the end of Thursday landslides and flooding had cut off several towns, including
the capital city Suva, hospitals had been evacuated and the army and navy had been
called in to help evacuate hundreds of people from their homes in and around the
capital.
At least 100 villagers are isolated without supplies by the flood waters. The army and
navy has evacuated the townspeople of Navua and distributed food in Korovou and
affected areas in Tailevu.
Schools have been closed and some have now been seconded to house flood
victims.
More heavy rain is predicted today (Friday) and on Saturday prompting fears that
major rivers will burst their banks, threatening hundreds of thousands more people
and their crops and causing further landslides.
To make a donation to help the people of Fiji
please ring Caritas Australia on 1800 024 413
For further information please contact:
Margaret Rice on
(0417) 284 831
Photo courtesy Fiji Government