PR/E11/99
The United Nations Fund for International Partnerships (UNFIP) will give $650,000 for a project focused on improving early warning mechanisms and general preparedness for El Niño and La Niña climatic impacts. The grant, which uses a part of businessman Ted Turner's billion-dollar gift to the UN, will fund a 19-month project to be implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in collaboration with the United Nations University (UNU), National Center for Atmospheric Research of the United States, World

Health authorities in Fiji say raw sewage, dead cattle and poor drainage pose serious health problems in western Fiji in the wake of recent record floods.

The Fiji Times says authorities have mounted an intensive campaign in flood-affected areas amid rising fears of an outbreak of disease.

Authorities say the immediate danger is from dirty drinking water and the overflow of raw sewage from pit toilets.

Fiji's Ministry of Health has increased its manpower in the western division, to combat a rise in diseases such as diarrhoea, viral infections and influenza.

Fiji's Director of Meteorology has come out in defence against criticism that the office failed to give sufficient advance warning of the record floods that hit Fiji last week.

Rajendra Prasad says his office had indicated in its forecasts from last Monday evening, that heavy and flooding of low lying areas was to be expected.

However, he says the severe flooding that resulted could not be anticipated.

Last week's flooding in the western division of Fiji's main island of Viti Levu, was the worst to hit the country.

The government last week issued a 30-day

The Australian Government will contribute towards relief and rehabilitation activities following severe flooding in Fiji.

The Government of Fiji has declared a national disaster in the western division of Fiji following the extremely heavy rains and thunderstorms since 19 January that have caused widespread damage to Viti Levu.

Roads and bridges, public utilities such as sewerage, buildings and machinery, schools, hospitals and power supplies have all been severely damaged in the disaster area. Some areas are still without water supplies. Sugar crops, the mainstay of the Fiji economy,

SUVA, Jan 22 (AFP) - Fiji declared Friday a natural disaster in parts of the island state in the aftermath of flooding in which at least seven people died.

The declaration allows the government to mobilise all needed resources for the provision of emergency relief assistance, deputy Prime Minister Taufa Vakatale said after a special cabinet meeting.

Flooding caused by a cyclone came on the heels of a prolonged drought, which destroyed 60 percent of Fiji's sugar cane crop last year and cost more than 50 million Fijian dollars (25 million US) in relief and rehabilitation works.

SUVA, Jan 21 (AFP) - At least seven people are feared dead after Cyclone Dani hit Fiji, reports said Thursday, and weathermen said more storms brewing in the South Pacific could threaten Vanuatu, New Caledonia and even New Zealand.

Dani created an enormous rain front stretching 1,400 kilometres (870 miles) from New Caledonia to Fiji, bringing the worst flooding in recent history to Fiji's Western District.

Seven people are dead, four missing and thousands homeless, the Daily Post said Thursday.

Nadi, site of the international airport,

FIJI: FLOODS
Information Bulletin N=B0 1
21 January 1999
The Disaster

Fiji is in the grip of the worst floods since rainfall records began. Floods this week swept through the towns of Nadi, Rakiraki, Tavua, Ba and Lautoka, among others, directly affecting an estimated 20,000 people. According to the Disaster Management Programme, South Pacific Office (DMP-SPO) in Suva, the worst-affected area is the Western Division of the main island of Viti Levu. This is the centre of Fiji's sugar cane industry and there is heavy damage to the sugar cane crop.

The death toll in Fiji's flood-hit island of Viti Levu has risen to four, with one person still missing.

The Fiji Government has convened an emergency meeting to decide whether to declare a state of natural disaster.

Thousands of people have lost their homes and Fiji's sugar crop, which was recovering after a drought last year, has been severely damaged.

Police have now lifted restrictions on travel to the centre of Nadi, one of the towns worst-hit by the floods.

Rainfall reached record levels during yesterday's storm, influenced by Cyclone Dani, which is now battering Vanuatu.