The Category 5 storm – the strongest on record in the Southern Hemisphere – made landfall Saturday evening, leaving a path of destruction that included flattened homes and downed power lines. Six people are confirmed dead, hundreds of homes are damaged or destroyed and 80 percent of the island is without power. Fiji’s government has declared a month-long state of natural disaster to recover from the catastrophic cyclone.
“The full extent of the damage is still unknown, but given the severity of the storm we are very concerned about the health and safety of survivors,” said AmeriCares Vice President of Emergency Response Garrett Ingoglia. “We have a team on the way and aid shipments ready to go.”
AmeriCares stocks emergency medicines and relief supplies in its warehouses in the United States, Europe and India that can be delivered quickly in times of crisis. For Fiji, AmeriCares has 5,000 pounds of medical and relief supplies prepared and ready to be shipped.
Stamford-based AmeriCares has been aiding survivors of natural disasters, political conflict and extreme poverty around the world for more than 30 years. AmeriCares also brings disaster preparedness programs to vulnerable communities and launches long-term recovery programs after major emergencies that restore health services and strengthen health systems.
To make a donation to AmeriCares International Disaster Relief Fund, go to www.americares.org/cyclone
Click here to follow Daily Voice Stamford and receive free news updates.