ReliefWeb

I. HIGHLIGHTS/key priorities

• Following widespread flash flooding from 30 March onwards, 1,169 people remain in evacuation centres. Four people died and one boy remains missing. Initial, sector damage assessments amount to USD 40 million.

• The prevention of outbreaks of communicable diseases is a priority, particularly given the extent of flooding, and many communities having no or limited access to safe water supply.

• Given extensive agriculture damages, food security is at risk with almost 13,000 farmers having sustained damages. This raises particular concern for the most vulnerable people, including children, pregnant and lactating mothers, the elderly, disabled, the poor and those that remain in evacuation centres or with host families.

Social Media Monitoring

In the period from 29 March to 11 April, OCHA monitored the Facebook, Google+ and Twitter profiles of 70 individuals and 8 organizations affected by the floods or involved in the distribution of assistance. With 75% of all flood related posts, Facebook is the preferred social network, with 25% for Twitter and almost no traffic on public Google+ pages. Even with a seemingly large following, and a reasonably active Facebook community, most people only posted once or twice about the floods and most posted pictures of flooding near their place of residence. Main findings from the analysis are as follows:

• 27% of all messages concerned the Nadi area, with Ba and Sigatoka (Cuvu in particular) at 15% each. The rest covered other parts of Fiji, and the Suva area.

• 50% of posts describe damage to buildings or infrastructure, 30% food security and health issues, with the rest dedicated to WASH, Education or Recovery • 20% of posts requested assistance, while 10% reported on the distribution of assistance, which was related to food and health.

• There were almost no specific complaints regarding the response. 75% of all posts expressed sadness at the events, while 18% were positive regarding assistance received.

• While very little actionable information was posted, 5% of posts concerned direct requests for assistance regarding either logistics for transportation to health facilities due to disrupted road and bridges and requests for food relief.