Geneva, 22 February 2007 - Continuous torrential rains have been lashing the Pacific islands of Fiji for the past three weeks causing wide-spread flooding. On the main islands of Viti Levu, the tourist destination of Nadi - a town of approximately 30,000 people - was completely under 2m of water forcing the army and the police to declare a state of emergency.

To the north, the second largest island has been severely damaged by flash floods. Two villages of 86 houses were completely washed away when logs from a nearby logging project rushed down with the floodwaters and completely destroyed all the houses. As a result of this more than 1, 000 people are homeless and in desperate need of emergency assistance - food, clothing and shelter.

So far more than 10, 000 people have been severely affected by the floods and it continues to rain. The cyclone season in the Pacific is between November and April.

Fiji is currently under an interim military government after the military coup in December 2006. Foreign aid has been withdrawn and no assistance is forth coming. The northern Health Director has warned of a possible disease outbreak and has appealed to the general public to be careful of water and sanitation.

A representative for the World Council of Churches Operations (WCC/OP) and ACT International are currently assessing the situation with the Commissioner of the northern area. A Rapid Response Fund (RRF) request or an appeal may be forthcoming within the next few days.

Immediate relief assistance will be a priority with housing rehabilitation for a longer term response to the two villages.

Any funding indication or pledge should be communicated to Jessie Kgoroeadira, ACT Finance Officer (jkg@act-intl.org).

Thank you for your attention.

For further information please contact:

ACT Director, John Nduna (phone +41 22 791 6033 or mobile phone + 41 79 203 6055) or
ACT Program Officer, Michelle Yonetani (phone +41 22 791 6035 or mobile phone +41 79 285 2916)