Twenty-eight homes at Yaroi Village in Matuku, Lau, were badly damaged as a result of Tropical Cyclone Harold.

Village headman Maikeli Lesikilakeba said their farms were also destroyed.

“We were not able to save anything except the clothes on our back,” he said.

“The only shop in the village we all depend on was completely destroyed as well. There is nothing left in the shop; everything is gone.”

Debris brought in by storm surges at Yaroi Village, Matuku, Lau.

Communication with Yaroi Village remains limited. Mr Lesikilakeba walked to Makadru Village in order to upload videos and photos of the devastation his village suffered. Makadru Village also took heavy damage from TC Harold.

Yaroi villager Elimi Kurusiga said they were lucky to have survived the strong storm surges.

“This is one of the biggest damages that I have come across,” the 54-year-old said.

“We were ready for TC Harold. We took our belongings to higher ground.”

He said the strong winds began around 3pm and swept through the village. It did not stop until 7pm.

“Our farm has been completely damaged,” Mr Kurusiga said.

“Now we are facing a water problem. We are drinking from tanks.

“The women from the village are washing clothes in the river next to the village. We are also using the river to bath as we have no choice.”

People in Suva have started collecting clothes and other essentials to ship to Yaroi Village, when the Government franchise boat travels there on Tuesday.

Totoya Village

Meanwhile, villagers in Totoya, Lau, were well-prepared for Tropical Cyclone Harold before it had hit them on Wednesday.

Takayawa Tavo said no one was hurt and there were no major damages to Tovu Village, Ketei Village, Dravuwalu Village, Udu Village or Vanuavatu Village.

Qamea Island

Farmers from Qamea Island were also badly affected by TC Harold.

Navivi Village headmen Petero Dera has confirmed that 50 per cent of their yaqona plants and root crops were damaged.

Mr Dera said the villagers were lucky there were no damage to any buildings.

The four main villages on Qamea Island are Naivivi Village, Kocoma Village, Reketi Village and Togo Village.

He said the main source of income for the villagers was farming. Now the damage from the recent cyclone would impact them very badly.

Mr Dera said there were nearly 600 people on the island and many had returned home since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.

“The island is on lockdown, so we cannot move around and do a survey on what we can do to help the people,” he said.

Mr Dera said the villagers couldn’t work in the farm as there was a strict restriction on movement.

“We would be grateful if we receive any help from the Government,” he said.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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