PRESS RELEASE
Salvation Army Responds to Fiji's Worst Disaster
January 27, 2009 – 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.
The Salvation Army serves in more than 100 countries and provides both immediate emergency assistance and long-term recovery help in the event of any disaster. Funds for The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services come from corporate and private donations given specifically for disaster relief. To volunteer with The Salvation Army or to make a credit card donation, call 651-746-3400 or 1-800-SAL-ARMY. Checks made out to The Salvation Army may be sent to 2445 Prior Ave., Roseville, MN 55113. Click below to make an online donation.
