Fiji floods: Devastation remains as waters recede

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Thu, 26 Jan 2012 6:20p.m.

The immediate need here is for food, water and clothes

The immediate need here is for food, water and clothes

By Tony Reid

The floodwaters in Fiji have retreated, leaving behind a path of devastation.

The people have no water, no power and they're waiting for help.

"There's none, apart from you guys," Nacanieli Vanasina told 3 News. "You guys are the first one to ask about the damages around here."

His village is home to 260 people, half of them crammed into a church when the flooding was at its worst. But it doesn't have to be this way.

The village evacuation centre, which would have been used during these latest floods if it was finished, can hold the entire village.

It would have a shower, running water, and a kitchen too. The problem is the village can't afford the $60,000 to finish the job.

The immediate need here is for food, water and clothes. The Red Cross says the floods are worse than 2009. It says it has water to deliver but with the state of the roads, it can't.

"They have to walk, as we have seen," says Pastor Jone Lesu. "They can only walk from there to here, or we can arrange an agreement with the police, take them if they are willing."

The town of Ba was open for the first time today - businesses were busy cleaning up before a 4pm curfew kicked in.

Back towards Nadi the rail bridge used to transport a thriving sugar cane industry has been tossed to one side by the floods.

On the other side of the bridge, a single tap provides the only source of clean water.

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Comments

26 Jan 2012 10:04p.m.

Kiwi wrote:

So where is Fijian military leader Frank Bainimarama and his followers during all this? Why should NZ or anyone else now assist Fiji? Time for concerned countries to decide to either invade Fiji and overthrow Bainimarama and his unlawful mob or leave the place to self destruct! As a NZ taxpayer I'm not happy for NZ to give aid to a country led by an unlawful regime because in reality any aid is basically condoning and supporting their existence!