ZB ZB
Live now
Start time
Playing for
End time
Listen live
Listen to NAME OF STATION
Up next
Listen live on
ZB

One year on effects of Cyclone Winston still being felt

Author
Newstalk ZB staff,
Publish Date
Mon, 20 Feb 2017, 3:09PM
A Fijian family surrounded by the devastation the cyclone caused last year (Getty Images).
A Fijian family surrounded by the devastation the cyclone caused last year (Getty Images).

One year on effects of Cyclone Winston still being felt

Author
Newstalk ZB staff,
Publish Date
Mon, 20 Feb 2017, 3:09PM

The devastating effects of Cyclone Winston are still being felt a year on.

Thousands of homes and 44 lives were lost in the tropical storm as it tore through Fiji 12 months ago today.

The tropical storm killed dozens and a destroyed 32,000 homes.

The effects of the fatal cyclone are still felt in Fiji as volunteers continue to work to provide shelter, fresh water and emotional support.

Red Cross Aid Worker Corinne Ambler said the Fijian people are resilient but today will look back on what they lost.

"The Fiji government is holding a commemoration in Suva and I understand they'll be reading a roll call of the 44 people who were killed."

Ms Ambler said Fijians are hardy, but the disaster's had a huge emotional impact.

"There are still a lot of people here who are traumatised a year later by what happened to them during the cyclone, so our volunteers are going around and listening to people's stories."

 

She said one school has gone for a whole year without classrooms, and is only just being completed.

"So 230 students at that school will soon no longer be studying in tents. They'll have a brand new buildings."

Fiji Red Cross will continue to provide shelter, fresh water and emotional support until the end of May.

Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you