Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama was deeply saddened when told of the number of deaths brought about by severe Tropical Cyclone Winston.

He was also perturbed by the destruction of homes, properties, schools and the livelihood of small and large businesses and farms.

“As much as I want, I can’t imagine the trauma that those who were affected went through,” he said.

The category 5 cyclone was the most powerful cyclone to hit landfall in Fiji and the South Pacific basin in recorded history.

“When I heard it was a category 5 hurricane, that’s when I was really worried about the people – especially the vulnerable society, people who live in not so steady homes because I know most of the villages and settlements have not built their homes to withstand a category 5 cyclone,” he said.

In most parts of Fiji, the wind, rain and tidal surges caused widespread destruction.

“I was worried initially when it started to come down because of the homes and the kids and I know schools would be damaged, homes would be destroyed and I was already thinking about the rehabilitation we are going to do,” he said.

“Unfortunately the recovery process will take a long time. Because of the level of destruction we are not rebuilding the same structures, but we are building back better to last.

“We must tell the stories of the Winston victims and also remind the world that we are still vulnerable.”