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Direct Link to Publication:

http://www.apwld.org/pdf/Gender_Sensitive.pdf

APWLD 2006 - Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law & Development

GUIDELINES FOR GENDER SENSITIVE
DISASTER MANAGEMENT

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Women’s Action for Change (WAC) Update

Assisting Flood Victims –Fiji

12 January 2009

Women’s Action for Change (WAC) urge all Fiji national relief efforts to take into account the special needs of women and children during relief efforts for victims of last weekend’s devastating floods. Immediate needs include funds and in-kind support in the form of food provisions, cooking supplies, clothing, shelter and bedding, women’s sanitary products, baby formula, nappies and such.

Severe flooding has affected the Western and Northern Division, and the Rewa Delta in Fiji. There are now 7 people confirmed dead including three children killed in landslides, other young people and adults killed while trying to leave their homes, and cross swollen rivers. It is also reported (Fiji Times, 12 Jan 2009) that over 6000 people are now seeking shelter in 114 evacuation centres around the country, and this number is expected to rise as more severe flooding is expected late this week.

A large number of affected families were already facing considerable economic hardship and poverty before the flood, making them even more vulnerable in times of natural disasters. Many of these families are from informal settlements and peri-urban settlements on low-lying land prone to flooding, and villages that have limited access to piped water and electricity. Power and water supplies are currently disrupted to large areas with the probability that they will not be restored for 2-3 weeks.

A large number of the businesses in affected townships such as Nadi and Ba are still closed, with extensive debris in shops, homes, schools and streets. Major roads in the Northern division are still closed, as are many smaller local roads around the country due to water level, road damage and landslides. There are also growing concerns about the possibility of leptospirosis, scabies, diarrhoea, typhoid and scabies becoming prevalent in these areas over the coming days and weeks.

Affected areas have been declared State of Emergency areas and DISMAC Disaster Centre, the Fiji Police, the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, the National Fire Authority and other Government officials are working with civil society and humanitarian groups such as Fiji Red Cross to assist affected communities.

The Education Department has stated that the first school term will start as planned on Monday 19 January, but many families and schools will require urgent help to ensure that children’s education is not further affected, as families are already under considerable psychological, emotional and physical stress from the floods.

Social welfare, health, education and indeed all government ministries must work actively with civil society organisations and the private sector to share information and strategies for targeted and effective assistance.

It is also imperative that relief efforts pay specific attention to personal safety and security plans in emergency centres, so that all, including women and children, are safe in the 114 shelters, as well as in flood-affected areas where public lighting and safe public access routes are affected.

Please note that there are several relief support initiatives that have already started, and more will begin in the coming weeks.

WAC - dusilele@connect.com.fj

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http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/01/13/2465273.htm

January 13, 2009

Fiji Braces for Further Deluge, Flooding

By Pacific correspondent Campbell Cooney

The damage bill is estimated to be over $14 million. (User submitted: Dina Mammone)

Fiji is expecting another day of heavy rain tomorrow, further compounding the problems caused by massive flooding.

The flooding in Fiji has destroyed much of the country's sugarcane crop, and stranded both international tourists and villagers in remote locations with food and water supplies running low.

But the situation is about to get worse, with the director of Fiji's Meteorological Service, Rajendra Prassad, warning people to expect more heavy rain, and rising floodwaters, driven by another strong low pressure disturbance.

The weather service expect an improvement in the weather by the end of the week.

So far Fiji is estimating a damage and cleanup bill of over $14.85 million.

Foreign Minister Stephen Smith announced earlier today the Federal Government will give $150,000 in aid, and stands ready to offer further assistance.

So far six people have died, two are missing and 9,000 Fijians have been left homeless by the floods.

A Virgin Airlines plane landed in Brisbane this morning after being diverted en route from Samoa to pick up 40 stranded Australian passengers in Fiji.

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