Flood victims in Fiji receiving assistance from Rotary Clubs

Emergency boxes containing dry clothes, water purification equipment, home wares, tools, health and sanitation supplies and basic utensils have already been delivered to Fiji flood victims by Rotary club members.

Rotary club members throughout Fiji, including Nadi, Lautoka, Savusavu, Labasa and Suva, have rallied to deliver the emergency boxes and will give out another $180,000 worth that are on the way from New Zealand Rotary Clubs.

Rotary in New Zealand is now accepting donations from the public through Westpac Bank, to add to thousands of dollars already committed by Rotarians, so emergency food supplies can be purchased and dispatched immediately. Fiji is part of Rotary District 9920, which includes other Pacific Island nations and parts of Auckland and Manukau cities.

Rotary spokesman Rob Crabtree said assessments have been done in consultation with Dismac (a Fiji disaster management group) and Red Cross and the first batch of boxes have been dispatched. The two main areas for distribution are the Rewa Delta/Natasiri and the Nadi, Ba and Western Region.

Mr Crabtree says a report from NG Singh, the Rotary District Assistant Governor in Nadi, says Rotarians are struggling to keep their businesses going and their families dry and accommodated. But the Lautoka club has already distributed bottled water and emergency boxes, despite some areas only being accessible by river as roads are impassable, and they have assisted those in need in Ba.
“On the other side of the country, Bob Niranjan our Assistant Governor in Suva, has set up a co-ordination committee and is working with local organisations to provide assistance as needed,” Mr Crabtree says. “They have collected clothes and bedding and are in the process of distributing the emergency boxes that are already in Fiji.”

Rotary clubs in New Zealand have arranged with NZAID, through the Humanitarian Action Fund, for Air Pacific to airfreight 300 further emergency boxes with a value of $180,000, to Nadi on Friday. The contents of an emergency box are listed below.

New Zealand Rotary clubs are now coordinating the collection of donations to facilitate the purchase of emergency food supplies.

Rotary NZ World Community Service Director Stuart Batty says Rotary would welcome donations from the general public.Cheques can be made payable to Rotary NZWCS Ltd Project Account and posted to RNZWCS Limited, PO Box 20309, Christchurch 8543, or donations can be made direct through internet banking to Westpac Bank A/C 03 1702 0192208 01.

Ends

For further information contact PDG Rob Crabtree, Rotary International Pacific Area PR Coordinator, phone 0274 974 310, or Felicity Anderson, RI Zone 7B coordinator on 021 22 40 520
Emergency Box (EMBOX) Contents

Household
Stainless Bombay Cooking Pot (round and no handles)

4 unbreakable soup bowls

4 unbreakable cups

1x5 litre bucket

1x 150mm hunting/carving knife

Sealable plastic bags
Miscellaneous
Packet candles

Box waterproof matches

Packet safety pins

Ball of string

Reel of cotton

1x rope clothesline and pegs (5mm OD x 20cm)

2 plastic sheets (lightweight trailer covers approx 2-4 metres)

2 blankets (cotton)

2 plastic bottles to hold drinking water

Clothing
Men 2 pair of shorts and 2 tee shirts (XL) and 2 sets of underwear

Women 2 sets of underwear and 2 dresses

Boys 2 pairs of shorts and 2 tee shirts (M)

Girls 2 sets of underwear and 2 tee shirts (L)

Babies 6 washable nappies, 2 vets and 2 night dresses

General 6-8 metres cotton/polyester plain cloth (i.e. dress fabric- non see through)

Tools
Small folding shovel

Machete and file to sharpen

Hammer

Assorted Nails (75mm x 100mm)

Roofing Nails

2 fishing lines, hooks and sinkers

Toiletries and Medical
2 large towels

Toothbrushes and toothpaste

Small mirror and comb

6 bars of sunlight soap

Roll of waterproof sticking plaster

Roll of dressing strip

5cm gauze bandage

Tube if antiseptic cream

Water treatment tablets

Panadol

Sewing needle

Scissors