News

TC Winston death toll rises to 42

February 24, 2016 2:42 am

The death toll as a result of Tropical Cyclone Winston’s rampage has risen to 42.

Some 14,000 people are currently reported to be sheltering in 274 evacuation centres and a thirty-day State of Natural Disaster has been declared by the Government.

Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the United NationsAmbassador Peter Thomson says all reports indicate the scale of destruction is beyond anything experienced before in Fiji.

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Ambassador Thomson says Government’s first concern is to provide humanitarian emergency assistance, food, water, sanitation and shelter to people in dire need.

He says international assistance has been officially requested by the Government and that in concert with UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, he would be giving a briefing to Member States at the United Nations on Friday.

Ambassador Thomson says time is necessary as the briefing would cover a full assessment of the situation as well as the needs of Fiji at this time of national tragedy.