Rebuilding in Fiji After Cyclone Winston

• Wind Gusts up to 325 km/h

• Waves up to 12m high

• UNICEF reported that the cyclone claimed the lives of 44 people, with 62,400 forced to take shelter across 875 evacuation centres.

Following the devastation of Cyclone Winston in late February, families and communities are banding together. While thousands still remain in shelters across the islands, the clean up and rebuilding is well underway. Electricity is being restored across the region while clean water and emergency supplies are being provided through foreign governments and aid organisations.

The battering force cut communication with many areas, so far fellowships across the region have reported their local saints have all survived the storm, however contact with some saints is proving difficult..

The Church buildings in Suva, Nausori, Lautoka, Rakiraki and Ovalau all sustained varying degrees of damage. Roof damage to the church buildings across the region was common, with some roofs lost completely in the strong winds. The picture above shows the damage sustained to the hall in Lautoka.

The saints in Nadi were able to secure the main hall prior to the cyclone with the only damage to the location being the loss of the outhouse roof. While the plantation in Namara, which had been a primary source of income for the fellowship, was also severely damaged.

Through a disaster relief call out to the Australian fellowships, a massive $30,000 was raised, going directly to the Fijian fellowships. With the local saints on hand eager to begin the repairs and rebuilding process, these funds will primarily go towards materials and emergency resources that are needed right now.

As the local saints continue to rejoice in the Lord, the rebuilding begins.