UNICEF on standby to support Government of Fiji to reach families affected by Tropical Cyclone Yasa

17 December 2020 – UNICEF is on standby to support the Government of Fiji to respond to the urgent needs of families affected by Tropical Cyclone Yasa, a category five cyclone barreling down on Fiji tonight, expected to affect more than 850,000 Fijians.

“UNICEF is on standby to provide support to the Government of Fiji to respond to the urgent needs of families and children who will be affected by the disastrous impacts of Tropical Cyclone Yasa,” said Sheldon Yett, UNICEF Pacific Representative. “We will work with the government, civil society and other partners to provide clean water, and emergency health and education supplies for children in affected communities”

The Government of Fiji has declared Tropical Cyclone Yasa as a natural disaster for the entire country.  The National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) reported that 369 families (1,417 individuals) are currently staying in 53 evacuation centres in Central, Western and Northern Divisions. These numbers are expected to increase as the storm hits Fiji overnight.

Supplies like essential water, sanitation and hygiene items, including soap, water containers and buckets, to ensure children and families have access to clean drinking water as well as emergency health and midwifery kits, including basic drugs, medical supplies and equipment, are prepositioned and ready to be distributed to those most in need.

In addition, UNICEF is ready to support communities by providing tents, and basic supplies to support learning needs and help children to regain a sense of normalcy as soon as possible after the disaster.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

For more information, please contact:

Alexandra Murdoch, 0207 375 6179, [email protected]

Unicef UK Media Team, 0207 375 6030, [email protected]

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