12 August 2016

Save the Children launches major initiative to help save lives in Fiji

Save the Children is launching its most comprehensive plan ever to save lives in disasters following the devastating cyclone that killed 43 people in the Pacific nation in February

The five year, $3.5 million dollar project aims to introduce a child-centred national strategy to help the most vulnerable Fijian communities.

Over the next five years close to 14,000 children living in 30 of the most affected areas of Fiji will be trained on how to respond to a disaster, evacuation centres will be built and filled with emergency supplies and families will be helped to make the transition to more secure ways of earning a living for their families.

Save the Children CEO Heather Hayden says the $3.5 million dollar initiative is urgently needed in Fiji. “With more extreme weather predicted over the coming years, countries like Fiji urgently need help to prepare so they can protect their children’s futures”. “What we learnt from Cyclone Winston is just how vulnerable children are in disasters when plans are not in place. Our initiative is designed to address that need.”

Approximately 66% of Fijians live in poverty and children below 18 represent 40% of the population. Children in poor communities are particularly vulnerable to disasters.

Save the Children, in partnership with the New Zealand and Fijian Governments and selected Civil Society partners, will take a child centred approach to strengthening national and local disaster preparation and management processes.

The New Zealand government funds 80% of this project and the rest of the funds come from generous donations from New Zealanders.

The result will be strengthened disaster risk reduction and management together with safeguarding economic and human development in 30 of the most vulnerable districts of Fiji. The project aims to help 40,000 beneficiaries.

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