Families billeted at evacuation centres (ECs) around the country will continue to be fed and looked after until it is safe to return to their communities, says Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama.
As of yesterday, 76 centres remained open in the Western, Eastern and Central divisions, accommodating 1585 people.
Mr. Bainimarama said these ECs have been hygienically maintained and would remain open to Fijians who needed them.
“Last week, the devastating arrival of Cyclone Harold took the extraordinary to the extreme,” he said.
“Luckily, we were prepared. “Our cyclone contingency plans kicked into gear, allowing us to keep our coronavirus containment efforts in effect while getting food, supplies and medical care to impacted communities.
“Sadly, we’ve recorded our first death from Cyclone Harold –– a 66-year-old man in Kadavu –– and hundreds of homes have been reported as damaged or destroyed.
But as we have done so many times before, we are proving our resilience and rising back to our feet.
“Relief assistance is making its way to badly-hit regions, including by boat to Vatulele, Beqa, Yanuca, Kadavu and Southern Lau.
“Our disaster relief officials have been fever-screened before deployment to outer islands. Most roads are open.
Water supply has almost entirely resumed. Electricity will steadily come back online throughout the week.
“Our evacuation centres, which have been hygienically maintained, remain open to Fijians who need them.
These families will continue to be fed and looked after until the weather dries up and it is safe to return to their communities.”
