ShelterBox New Zealand has deployed a response team to work with the Rotary Club of Suva East to coordinate a response to the heavy flooding that has hit the South Pacific Islands of Fiji. A ShelterBox Response Team, comprising, Lyndon Tamblyn (NZ) and Sally Fletcher (NZ) will fly out to assess the needs and facilitate the importation and distribution of emergency aid.
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| SRT Lyndon Tamblyn (NZ) in Suva, November 2011 demonstrating the ShelterBox equipment |
With a state of emergency declared in the West of the island nation, some 12,000 people are currently housed in evacuation centres, and nearly 3,000 households affected thus far. Although the rains eased over the weekend, the threat posed by the approaching Cyclone Daphne gives cause for grave concern.
ShelterBox International Director, Lasse Petersen said,
“We are consulting with several key players, including Rotary in Suva, DISMAC (Fijian disaster management), The Red Cross and the New Zealand Government to coordinate an appropriate and rapid response.
