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Released 26 January 2009
SALVATION ARMY RESPONDS TO FIJI’S WORST DISASTER
Torrential rains beginning January 8, 2009, dumped more than 27
inches of water on western Fiji in three days. The resultant floods were described as Fiji’s
worst-ever natural disaster; torrents quickly overflowed river banks and rampaged
through communities, destroying crops, homes, bridges and roads. And, just when
things seemed at their worst, another storm system moved through the region
causing further flooding.
Worst hit were the towns of Nadi
and Ba. Spared from flooding, The Salvation Army hall at Nadi was quickly put
to use as an evacuation center. Captains Jeremaia and Amelia Naviko and corps
members, some of whom had their own homes flooded, provided food and shelter
for evacuees, including a pregnant woman who gave birth at the height of the
flood.
Captain Jeremaia, a burly former
policeman, helped rescue a number of people from the rising floodwaters in
their homes. In some houses the water had reached the ceiling and the streets
were flowing with fast-moving floodwater and debris. Some people were trapped
on roofs for two days. After flood waters receded, Captain Jeremaia formed clean-up
teams, armed with brooms, shovels and a waterblaster, to help clean up houses.
In Ba, both The Salvation Army hall
and the officers’ house are near the river, which burst its banks three times sending
torrents of water through the first floor and several inches through the second
story. Fortunately, corps officers Captains Vilikesa and Sesenieli Bogi had persuaded
several neighbors who were reluctant to leave their one-story houses to take
refuge on the upper floor of their house even though it, too, was flooded by
several inches.
The Salvation Army throughout Fiji joined together to provide food, shelter and meal preparation to affected areas.
The Salvation Army already is receiving many requests for assistance with basic
food items, household goods, bedding and school fees.
Monetary donations earmarked “Disaster
Relief” may be sent to your local Salvation Army, made online at
www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.
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