On Sabbath, February 20, Cyclone Winston hit the northern side of the Fiji Islands. Cyclone Winston was one of the largest cyclones ever recorded in the South Pacific. The islands have sustained extremely damaging winds and flooding, which have caused extensive damage to housing, crops, infrastructure as well as injury and loss of life. We would like to ask you all to keep the Fijian people in your prayers. We are deeply saddened to receive the news that Brother Filipe Seru, a church member who lived on the eastern side of the main island, passed away during the cyclone, and that his wife sustained injuries when their house, like many others in the village, was destroyed by the storm.
The members in the Suva area are safe and are rallying together to help those who have been affected in the villages. Water, food, clothing, temporary shelter and cooking gas are the immediate needs and are being distributed out by our brethren as supplies allow. But resources are limited and financial assistance is needed to continue providing aid. We are still waiting for contact to be established in the Fijian highlands, and the brethren are doing all they can to travel there, hoping that they can get through the roads.
In order to be able to further help, we need to raise funds.
Current Status:
—Electric power has not been fully restored, due to extensive damage to the network.
—The water supply is not very reliable at the moment. Villages have been advised to boil all drinking water.
—Telecommunication is still not fully restored.
—Road access is still not restored due to fallen trees and damages to roads/bridges/jetties.
Church Members' Welfare:
—No contact has yet been possible with members in the highlands—Nadrau/Tokoni. Communication with the highlands is slow due to blocked roads, but we are hoping to hear more shortly. According to the news, the area where our two churches in the highlands (a remote area with access by rough roads) are located has been seriously affected by the cyclone.
—Church members in Suva are all well.
—Our group from Nadrauniivi/Ra is well, but they have lost everything.
—It is with great sadness we report that Cyclone Winston claimed the life of Brother Filipe Seru, a long standing member from Wainibuka. He is survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters.
Immediate Response:
—To date, the Suva Church members with the Fiji Field leader have arranged for evacuation.
—The Suva Church members have arranged clothes/food/water/kerosene for Brother Filipe’s wife and the villagers of the Naveiveiwali village. In this village, all the houses were damaged or completely destroyed.
—The Suva Church members are organizing the collection of basic supplies to be distributed to the church members in the highlands.
—We are still endeavouring to make contact with the church members in the highlands.
—The GC Welfare Department has sent an immediate response of US$5,000.00, in addition to the funds made available by the Australian Union. The GC is collecting funds for further assistance.
Immediate Request/Needs:
As we see the great need to reach out to our church members, we acknowledge that our local resources are limited. We therefore ask that you join us in our efforts to facilitate rebuilding the lives of our fellow brethren and sisters in Fiji.
Immediate needs:
1. Temporary shelters; preferably tents, for those who have lost their houses.
2. Food supply.
3. Portable solar lighting.
4. Cooking utensils, etc.
5. Refrigerators to store food supplies.
6. First aid kits to treat the wounded.
7. Fuel for cooking stoves, i.e. kerosene/gas.
8. Clothing for young and old.
Long Term Needs:
1. Building material to rebuild permanent places of abode. (Timber/roofing iron/louver frames with blades/nails, etc.)
2. Pipes and related accessories for their water system.
3. Books, stationary, and furniture for the school.
We pray you find it in your hearts to give generously. Thank you in advance for your prompt attention and your generous donation.
Donations can be sent through the General Conference Treasury:
SDA Reform Movement
Att: Treasury (Fiji)
P. O. Box 7240
Roanoke, VA 24019, USA
You can also donate directly via PayPal. From your PayPal account send donations to any of these accounts:
treasurer@sdarm.org.au and use “Fiji Cyclone Relief” as the reference.
“Money has great value, because it can do great good. In the hands of God's children it is food for the hungry, drink for the thirsty, and clothing for the naked. It is a defense for the oppressed, and a means of help to the sick. But money is of no more value than sand, only as it is put to use in providing for the necessities of life, in blessing others, and advancing the cause of Christ." Christ's Object Lessons, p. 351.
