Fiji Tc Winston Flash Appeal Final.Pdf (English)
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Fiji - Tropical Cyclone Winston Contact UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Regional Office for the Pacific Level 5, Kadavu House Victoria Parade, Suva, Fiji Email: [email protected] Phone: (679) 331 6760 Front Cover Photo: UNICEF/2016/Sokhin 2 Fiji – Tropical Cyclone Winston This document is produced by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian 3 Affairs in collaboration with humanitarian partners in support of the national government. It covers the period from 21 February to 21 May 2016 and is issued on 4 March 2016. Fiji - Tropical Cyclone Winston FIJI: AN OVERVIEW OF THE CRISIS Tropical Cyclone Winston, the most powerful cyclone While comprehensive damage data is still being to strike Fiji in recent time, cut a path of destruction collected, the Government’s initial reports indicate across the country on 20 and 21 February 2016. The varying levels of destruction, with up to 100 per cent eye of the Category 5 cyclone packed wind bursts of of buildings destroyed on some islands. Based on up to 320 kilometres per hour. The cyclone tracked evacuation centre figures and currently available west across the country, causing widespread damage data, approximately 24,000 houses have damage in all four divisions – Eastern, Northern, been damaged or destroyed, leaving an estimated Western and Central. It affected up to 350,000 53,635 people (six per cent of the total people (170.000 female and 180,000 male) - population) in almost 1,000 evacuation centres. equivalent to 40 per cent of Fiji’s population. This Subsistence agriculture plays an important role in includes 120,000 children under the age of 18 Fijian’s food security and livelihoods. Damage to (58,000 female and 62,000 male) and more than agriculture has been estimated at around US$60 3,100 people with disabilities. million (FJ$120 million) with 100 per cent of crops The hardest hit areas are the Lau group and destroyed in the worst affected areas. Much of Lomaiviti groups, which includes Koro Island, in the people’s subsistence crops are ruined and Eastern Division, Rakiraki and Tavua in Western community markets have either been destroyed or Division and Taveuni and Cakaudrove in Northern are inaccessible in affected areas. Division. Several locations such as Koro Island were To date, 42 people have lost their lives as a result of directly in the eye of the storm, razing most buildings the cyclone. Both the structure and function of health and crushing all food crops and other vegetation. facilities was disrupted at the primary, secondary, Powerful storm surges added to the destruction as and tertiary levels. Initial assessments indicate that they swallowed low lying communities. Most of these 63 health facilities, or 38 per cent of health villages will have to be rebuilt from the ground up. facilities in the country, have been severely or Fiji, like most Pacific countries, was already moderately damaged. suffering from the impact of the strong El Niño Many people are now without access to safe water, event, which has caused drought and water sanitation, and hygiene services. Around 250,000 shortages. Many of the communities most severely people are in need of water, sanitation and affected were also hard hit by TC Winston. For hygiene assistance. Piped water supplies have example, of the 67,000 people targeted with water been restored to most urban areas; however people deliveries at the end of January, the vast majority live living in rural areas are dependent on unsafe and in the corridor also most affected by the cyclone. unprotected water sources, resulting in increasing Similarly, in the Western Division where nearly three reports of diarrhea. More than 60,000 primary and quarters of the affected persons live, sugar secondary students (29,113 girls and 30,887 boys) production had already been severely impacted by have been affected. Approximately seven per cent the El Nino, and TC Winston further decimated the of schools are completely destroyed and 20 per sugar cane crops with likely significant financial cent are partially damaged, not including early implications for the Fijian sugar industry. education centres. Fijian Government estimates the total damage bill to The humanitarian community is appealing for be more than FJ$1 billion, or US$500 million. US$38.6 million to reach 350,000 people with life- Shelter, health, food, water, sanitation and saving assistance and protection. hygiene, education and protection have been identified as the most urgent needs for affected people. People Affected by Division Western 259,000 (74%) Northern 49,000 (14%) Central 27,000 (8%) Eastern 15,000 (4%) 4 Fiji – Tropical Cyclone Winston COORDINATION ARCHITECTURE National structures under the direction of the Disaster Controller and the Cluster-lead Ministries. Fiji has a strong national structure for disaster preparedness and emergency operations. This is composed of the National Disaster Management The Pacific Humanitarian Team (PHT) Council and the NDMO at capital level and of disaster The Pacific Humanitarian Team is a network of management committees at the provincial and district partners with the capability and expertise to assist level. The country has also developed a National Pacific Island Territories and Countries (PICTs) in Disaster Plan, Disaster Management Act and preparing for and responding to disasters in the Standard Operating Procedures for disaster region. The PHT supports governments in delivering response. The National Cluster System brings effective, appropriate, timely and coordinated disaster together Government ministries and a network of preparedness, response and recovery actions. The humanitarian actors, with United Nations agencies partners work together to meet the needs and protect and international and national NGOs. the rights and dignity of all affected communities. The Fijian Government has demonstrated strong PHT partners organize themselves according to leadership in the initial preparations by activating seven sector-specific regional clusters and an early emergency mechanisms, including establishment of recovery network. The PHT is co-chaired by the evacuation centers, before the Cyclone hit. Work on United Nations Resident Coordinators (RCs) in Fiji, restoration of access, communications and critical together with OCHA, which also acts as the PHT infrastructure, including clearing of main roads was secretariat and chairs the PHT inter-cluster initiated immediately. The Government rapidly began coordination group. The UN Resident Coordinator for assessments and deliveries of key relief supplies, the Fiji Multi-Country office was designated including 30 days of rations, to the most affected Humanitarian Coordinator for Fiji on 25 February areas. The Government has worked closely with 2015 for a period of three months. international partners to coordinate and prioritize aid MAIN HUMANITARIAN NEEDS Existing information and field observations suggest that the most immediate threats to life are: Provision of emergency shelter and support to evacuation centers and host communities There is a critical need for the construction of emergency shelters to allow a managed transition for people in evacuations shelters, as well as direct support to host communities. Access to health services as well as clean water and sanitation and hygiene services Hospitals and medical facilities have been destroyed or damaged, and water sources are damaged or contaminated. Rapid provision of clean water and restoration of health and sanitation services are needed to reduce the spread of disease. Improved access to food and support to livelihoods With the loss of 100 per cent of crops in some areas and serious damage to boats, fishing equipment and food gardens, people need access to food, as well seeds and other agricultural inputs and fishing supplies. Access to temporary learning spaces and rehabilitation of school facilities Schools have been destroyed or damaged and many others are being used as evacuation centers. Damaged schools are in need of temporary classrooms with water and sanitation facilities and learning materials to allow them start their education and return to normalcy. Protection and support to vulnerable communities Women, girls, boys and men of different ages and abilities are at greater risk of marginalization, as well as physical, domestic and sexual violence. Many have also been traumatized. Access to safe spaces, improved shelter conditions, psychosocial support, and transitional support is urgently required. 5 Fiji - Tropical Cyclone Winston People Targeted Coordination Safety & Protection 180,000 people Food Security 164,000 people Early Recovery 4,900 people Shelter Education 113,000 people 64,000 people PEOPLE TARGETED per cluster Water, Sanitation & Hygiene Health 250,000 people 350,000 people Logistics Emergency Telecommunications Funds Needed Cluster Requirements (US$) Food Security 13,616,842 Health 5,792,136 WASH 5,346,800 Shelter 5,256,350 Education 4,214,585 Safety & Protection 2,085,851 Early Recovery 902,786 Emergency Telecommunications 694,975 Coordination 512,442 Logistics 207,282 Grand Total $38,630,049 6 Fiji – Tropical Cyclone Winston STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES 1 Rapidly provide life-saving assistance to people affected by the cyclone and re-establish basic services Provide immediate life-saving and life-sustaining safe drinking water, food and health care, to those most affected. Deliver essential clinical and public health services at temporary and permanent health facilities