For over five months All Hands Volunteers has been working hard to provide immediate assistance to communities in Fiji affected by category 5 Cyclone Winston. To date we have been able to provide household emergency hygiene and sanitation solutions in over 18 different villages. This intervention is crucial in order to prevent the spread of life-threatening disease, but with 28,000 homes damaged or destroyed, the needs are still great.
Thought to be one of the strongest storms ever recorded in the Southern Hemisphere, Cyclone Winston struck Fiji February 20, 2016, bringing winds of over 320km/h (200mph), torrential rain and waves of up to 12m (40ft). Fijian officials declared a 30-day state of natural disaster and report that the direct impact of the storm flattened numerous buildings, decimated countless villages and left almost 50,000 people sheltering in evacuation centers.
This project serves to provide funding for the volunteers on the ground still responding to this devastating disaster. Since February, All Hands has been on the ground providing much needed support and assistance to the Fijian people. Rubble removal, demolition of destroyed homes and building of emergency latrine systems are some of the many ways that All Hands is able to lend support. In order to continue to assist the community we need more funding and volunteers!
In the past couple of months All Hands Volunteers has been able to construct 212 latrine and toilet systems. 1,064 individuals now have access to latrines, toilets or bathing structures. 485 people now have access to hand washing facilities as well. 127 families now have access to solar-powered lights to increase safety at night. Strides continue to be made as more individuals and families gain access to basic necessities through the assistance of All Hands.
