Fiji is a long way from most places in the world. And when a storm hits the island state, the disaster may remain unseen. But I do remember tropical cyclones hitting my home in the South China sea. Mine though was made of concrete, and withstood the violent winds and what flew with them. However, in the South Pacific this type of residential buildings is rare. Most houses are made of wood, or they are huts put together by anything available.

When my friend Dr. Thomas Bauer returned from a recent journey to Antarctica, he wrote to me that his wife Lina's home village in Fiji was flattened by Cyclone Winston. The village is called Nawaca and is located in Northern Fiji. As expected dozens lost their life in the storm, communication broke down, most shelter and the crops were destroyed. Only the church withstood, due to its concrete construction and serves as shelter for all of them. Fresh water supply is critical, and the threat of diseases is rising. I can well imagine the situation, but with friends being involved and struggling to help, it becomes not just one village on the other side of the planet. Lina and Thomas are themselves living in Queensland, Australia. Their property, the Dundee Park Academy, was also hit by cyclones frequently. I remember when we stayed with them in Australia last year, also "Waiting for the Hurricane" (they are not called Hurricanes down under). The two know what they are doing and are members of the Australian civil defense force, with intensive experience in rescue and recovery operations. Lina is also in the local fire brigade of El Airish, Queensland. So, they know what is needed and what to do. This morning I talked to Thomas via skype and was told that another "Category 3 Cyclone" is roaming around in the region and they may get hit again. You may support Lina in her project in recovering her home village here: http://www.pozible.com/project/204330

Follow up on recovery works in Northern Fiji

Support needed: Cyclone Winston hit Northern Fiji