The United Nations has begun its assessment of the needs for international assistance to Fiji as Tropical Cyclone Winston wreaked havoc in most parts of the country.
Responding to the Fijians Government’s official request for international aid, the UN and its Pacific Humanitarian Team are reaching out to the authorities to determine what expertise and support they need, including in coordination of humanitarian assistance.
UN Resident Coordinator in Fiji – Osnat Lubrani says the images from early aerial assessments of affected areas are heartbreaking, leaving little doubt about the ferocity of this cyclone.
Lubrani says it is clear from these catastrophic impacts that Fiji is facing a long road to recovery and the UN and the entire Pacific Humanitarian Team stands should-to-shoulder with the Government.
The Fijian Government is leading the response, and a 30-day state of natural disaster has been declared.
Meanwhile, the head of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, Robert Glasser extended his condolences to Fiji on the loss of life from the cyclone while commending the Government for its efforts to reduce mortality and the numbers of people affected by cyclone.
