Rotary Steps Up With Food and Supplies to Flood-Affected Families in Fiji

In the past week, over a thousand people in areas devastated by floods in Nadi, Lautoka, and Ba have received assistance from Rotary Clubs in Fiji. 120 Emergency Response Kits (ERK’s) worth about FJ$90,000, and about 400 food packs worth about FJ$14,000 have been distributed so far. Each food pack contains basic food items to last a family of four for a week. Over 400 pieces of clothing has also been distributed.

President Rick Eyre of Rotary Club of Lautoka, and President Sanjit Patel of Rotary Club of Nadi and their club members have been working throughout to assess needs for assistance and to get the supplies delivered as quickly as possible. Rotary Clubs in Suva are also providing support through cash and clothing donations.

Assistant District Governor, Shaheen Asgar says “Rotary teams in Nadi and Lautoka have done a fantastic job to bring relief to hundreds of families whose lives have been devastated by the floods. There is still a great deal more work to be done, and Rotary in Fiji with the support of New Zealanders are accepting the challenge. They are liaising closely with DISMAC and other Aid agencies for up-to-date information as well as coordinating distribution of supplies.”

The weather outlook for next 72 hours remains uncertain as forecasters differ as to the affect a possible tropical cyclone / depression will have as it moves closer to Fiji. The influence of the strong high to the south continues to complicate things beyond Wednesday with the most likely scenario involving the depression slowing right down and becoming nearly stationary for a period of time. If this happens the rain will continue heavy at times across the west with the risk of flooding increasing. Winds gusting 75kmph at times from the northwest. Wednesday weather will deteriorate further as the tropical depression moves closer to the west of the country with a moderate to high chance this system develops into a tropical cyclone. Heavy rain and possibly damaging northwest winds are expected Thursday with a high risk of a
tropical cyclone.

The public in New Zealand are responding to Rotary’s appeal.

Donations would be appreciated to the Rotary New Zealand 2012 Fiji Flood Appeal via:
• Rotary New Zealand World Community Service http://www.rnzwcs.org where there is a PayPal credit card facility, or
• Internet banking telegraphic transfer to Westpac Banking Corporation, Wellington, NZ account number 03 1702 0192208 02 (international donors will also require Swift Code WPACNZ2W, IBAN Code 031702) for account name RNZWCS Limited (Rotary New Zealand), and include reference Fiji Flood , and/or donor name and club
• Cheque made payable to RNZWCS Limited posted to PO Box 20309, Christchurch 8543, New Zealand
Donations are tax deductible.

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