A Wellington lawyer has launched a public appeal for a broad range of donated goods to help the cyclone-hit residents of Fiji.
“They’ve got absolutely nothing,” Kamil Lakshman, who moved to New Zealand from Fiji in 1983, said.
She hopes to fill a shipping container by March 7, when it will be sent by rail to Tauranga and loaded on a ship bound for Fiji on March 12.
“As you know, Cyclone Winston has caused mass destruction in certain parts of Fiji, and many people have lost their possessions and are struggling to meet their day-to-day basic needs,” she said on Sunday. She has mobilised many fellow Fijian expats in Wellington to help with the appeal, her third humanitarian effort on behalf of her former homeland.
Public Appeal
“It’s a humane response. Fiji is a tiny place and is very vulnerable.
“Everyone knows there is a disaster, but most people don’t know there is something like this that people can put items in.”
Her first appeal was in 2009 when floods hit Fiji while she was in the country. “It was horrifying to see these houses submerged in water.”
At the time, she developed a relationship with a non-government organisation in Fiji, the Ramakrishna Mission, which distributed the donated goods once they arrived.
In 2012, she organised a second container of donated goods after another flood caused widespread damage.
For the current public appeal, the mission needs all types of non-perishables, including clothing, food, medical supplies, water purification tablets, stationery, books, vegetable seeds, and kitchenware. It will again distribute them.
She said there were various dropoff points around the city, including New World Churton Park, 300 Main Rd in Tawa, and 1 Owaka Close in Kelson, Lower Hutt.
The container is at 94 Britomart St in Berhampore, where donated goods can also be accepted.
Lakshman said she was also organising pickup trucks to collect donated items. People could contact her for more information on 021 1598803, or Anil Dutt on 027 6830077.
Military response and public appeal
Meanwhile, the New Zealand Defence Force ship HMNZS Wellington has arrived in Fiji with about 60 tonnes of aid supplies and 71 military personnel to help with relief efforts.
The ship arrived in Suva on Sunday morning and, after refuelling and loading more food supplies, will head to the northern Lau group of islands.
See also the Dominion Post article 3 March
More about the Devastating Impact of Cyclone Winston on Fiji
Cyclone Winston first impacted Fiji’s Eastern Division, causing widespread catastrophic damage. Entire communities were destroyed, leaving approximately 40,000 people in urgent need of assistance.
•Koro Island: Suffered extensive destruction, with schools demolished and many buildings losing roofs. Kade Village was almost entirely flattened, and 788 homes were destroyed, displacing over 3,000 residents. Tragically, one person died in Nabasovi, and another succumbed to injuries in the hospital. Damage on the island totalled 234 additional homes affected.
•Taveuni Island: Experienced significant losses, with 722 homes destroyed and 837 damaged. The financial toll reached FJ$11.2 million (US$5.29 million). Ports were rendered unusable, and southern areas became isolated after a bridge collapsed.
•Ovalau and Mago Islands: Ovalau faced severe flooding, with water run-up reaching 7 meters (23 feet). Mago Island, owned by actor Mel Gibson, lost a communication tower. Lomaiviti Province alone saw 42,000 tons of debris from the storm.
On Viti Levu, two homes were destroyed in Waidamu, where the river overflowed, causing widespread flooding. In Drauniivi Village, 64 homes were completely demolished, and 70 more sustained damage. Rakiraki Town and its surrounding areas were heavily impacted, with scenes described as devastating.
A storm surge hit Vanua Levu’s southern coast, reaching 183 meters (600 feet) inland near Tacilevu Village. The maximum wave run-up was recorded at 5 meters (16 feet) in Nukubalavu.
Nationwide Impact
Winston damaged or destroyed 40,000 homes across Fiji, displacing approximately 131,000 people. The Western Division bore the brunt of the destruction, with 6,954 homes destroyed and 11,234 damaged. Additionally, 229 schools were severely damaged or destroyed.
Despite the widespread devastation, Fiji’s tourism sector, a vital part of the nation’s economy, remained largely unaffected. Total damages from Cyclone Winston were estimated at FJ$2.98 billion (US$1.4 billion).
Key Takeaway: Cyclone Winston left an indelible mark on Fiji, but the resilience of its people continues to shine through as they rebuild their communities.
You can see more about the damage to the Unesco World Heritage site in Fiji.