Cyclone Winston

School kept Fiji flood victims money

The auditor-general's report on this year's audits of schools' 2016 finances named four schools that spent large sums on overseas trips for staff and students, and three that spent "relatively high" sum on presents for departing principals.

The report found multiple faults in Blockhouse Bay Intermediate's accounting - including keeping relief fundraising money after Cyclone Winston devastated parts of Fiji in 2016.

"We drew attention to the school not passing on $3700 collected specifically for Fiji flood victims," it said.

EU to help Fiji's coffee industry post Winston

The co-founder of Bula Coffee, Luke Fryett, has a newly acquired mobile coffee processor which allows the company to expand its coffee supply base to isolated locations in Vanua Levu, thus increasing its coffee supply and offering farmers new income opportunities.

The coffee processor was bought by the EU's Funded Increasing Agricultural Commodity Trade Project as part of its Winston recovery initiative, which was implemented by the Pacific Community.

Levels of depression in Fiji linked to Cyclone Winston

WHO estimates there are now more than 30,000 people in the country living with depression in the wake of Cyclone Winston, the worst storm in Fiji's recorded history.

The organisation's mental health officer for the Pacific region, Yataro Setoya, said that there was still a stigma attached to depression so many people don't want to seek help when they need it.

Efforts to revive Fiji's cyclone-ravaged cocoa industry

A European Union-funded project, in partnership with the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, has set up three new cocoa processing units, each of which includes a fermenter and cocoa dryer.

The co-founder of a Fiji-based chocolate company, Tomohito Zukoshi, built the units and says they will provide a consistent A-grade quality cocoa for export.

Mr Zukoshi said Cyclone Winston devastated Fiji's cocoa sector and it is still recovering.

Coconut pests in Fiji increase after Cyclone Winston

The Ministry of Agriculture said there had been an increase in rhinoceros beetles feeding on fallen trees and other vegetation ruined in the intense storm which hit Fiji nearly a year ago.

The beetle feeds on the soft immature fronds in the crown of the palms, weakening the plant and reducing its production.

The ministry's research director Apaitia Macanawai said farmers could get help putting in place traps infected with a fungus and virus which kill the beetles.

Photo: John Ska (A male oryctes rhinoceros) 

Fiji Cyclone Winston death toll increases to 44

National Disaster Management Office Director Akapusi Tuifagalele said a woman in her 70s died at the CWH Hospital in Suva after she was airlifted from Koro Island following serious injuries.

14,799 people are still living in 476 evacuation centers in the Eastern, Northern and Western division.

Fiji govt has latest estimate on disaster costs

Fiji TV reports damage to Fiji's roading infrastructure has been put at US$64 million.

The agriculture sector is estimated to face costs of more than US$100 million and education's losses are US$25 million.

18,154 homes and buildings were damaged by the cyclone.

No disease outbreak, Fiji Health facilities damage reach $3million mark

The Health Ministry is working very closely with UNICEF for integrated communication with disaster-affected communities.

Normally during a Cyclone mosquitoes are washed away, and in two or three weeks affected areas have issues of an outbreak.

However, the Ministry of Health has warned possible outbreak of dengue and Zika virus.

The quick response by the Ministry and WHO in providing basic health kits has helped curb an outbreak.

Fiji commander amazed there was not greater loss of life

The category five storm tore through the Lau group early in the morning on Saturday before last, at 22 kilometres per hour.

Commander Humphrey Tawake said it's the first time in living memory that such a strong cyclone hit at the same time as minor earthquakes, sea surges and tidal waves.

Fiji PM says country's economic growth 'down the drain' after cyclone

The death toll from Saturday's storm remains at 42, with two people missing.

Nadalei Village is in the remote interior of Fiji's Viti Levu Island, on the Tavua Road past Vatukoula.

One resident, Semi, would have died if his family hadn't found him half buried in the rubble after Cyclone Winston.