The Western Division was the worst hit with 73 per cent of the 24,904 houses devastated across Fiji during Tropical Cyclone Winston.

Out of the 18,188 houses damaged in the Western Division, 6954 houses were destroyed and 11,234 were partially damaged, according to figures released by National Disaster Management Office director Akapusi Tuifagalele.

In the Northern Division 792 houses were destroyed, 2617 partially damaged totaling 3409 houses affected.

In the Central Division; 569 dwellings were destroyed; 1667 partially damaged, total of 2235 houses affected. In the Eastern Division; 819 dwellings were destroyed, 253 partially damaged, total of 1072.

“At the moment we will provide them with temporary shelters like tents and tarpaulins to assist them,” he said.

“We continue with our civil military co-ordination with the Republic of the Fiji Military Forces; both the Australian and New Zealand military working with the Tongan patrol boat currently in Vanuabalavu,” he said.

Mr Tuifagalele said the cost of cyclone damage around the country was expected to increase as damage assessment continued.

However, the death toll remains at 43 with 231 evacuation centers open; the number of evacuees at this stage is yet to be verified.

$9.2 million ration supplied

The $4.29 million worth of foods rations supplied to the West make up 45 per cent of the total of $9.62 million supplied so far to the four divisions in the country.

Supplies to the Eastern Division total $1.41 million; the Central Division has been rationed $706,888 worth of supplies while the Northern Division make up $3.21 million of food rations.

Mr Tuifagalele said the cost of damage on the education sector still remains at $50.2 million; four classrooms in the Eastern Division are still open for evacuation centers, seven in the Western Division whereas 15 schools remained closed around the country.

He also said the Ministry of Health’s public outreach team had completed their first round of awareness programmess in various areas affected by the cyclone and are now going into the second phase.

“The ministry is currently on the ground with medical teams from Australia and New Zealand; for medical supplies and equipment there is more than $4 million to Fiji Pharmaceutical Services that’s in Fiji in terms of relief supplies.

Water supply

Water of Authority of Fiji as of yesterday restored 368 water systems, 81 are still in progress; 27 is still yet to be visited and 26 were not affected in terms of registered villagers.

Roads, jetties damage to increase

The cost of damages on our roads and jetties is expected to increase as damage assessment continues.

Mr Tuifagalele confirmed that all roads to villages were now accessible. He said jetties damaged so far as assessment done by the authority was around 55 percent.

In the Western Division, he said in Rakiraki, Nayaulevu, Vuniyamunu crossing, Waimari road  and also the Penang bridge still remained closed.

Mr Tuifagalele said the estimated costs for damages for access for all divisions totaled $15 million; permanent road repairs was projected at $40 million damages; jetties at $30 million; and bridges and crossing anticipated at $50 million.

He said the breakdown of the assessment of damages for the four divisions totaled $135 million.

Edited by Rusiate Mataika

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