Fiji in 'extreme circumstance' following life-destroying floods and cyclones

Fiji is experiencing a "totally historical catastrophe" after almost non-stop cyclones, storms and flooding.

Tropical Cyclone Zena weakened and moved quickly over Fiji without causing significant damage during the early hours of Thursday morning.

Just six weeks after Cyclone Winston ravaged the country, Zena was headed straight for the southern regions, with the storm reaching a category 3 on Wednesday evening.

Schools were closed and a curfew put in place in anticipation of Zena's arrival.

READ MORE:
* More weather misery for Fijians still recovering from Cyclone Winston
* Cyclone Zena due to hit Fiji six weeks after Winston
* Fiji on high alert for second tropical cyclone landfall in six weeks as Zena approaches

And while mother nature took pity on the country, with the storm weakening to a category 2, Fiji still has a long battle ahead.

Unicef executive director Vivien Maidaborn said Fiji had received some good news overnight, with the storm moving quickly over the country without causing widespread devastation.

But the country was still in a dire situation.

"This is a population in an extreme circumstance," Maidaborn said.

"We're beyond even talking about a hundred-year event.

"This is a totally historical catastrophe."

There was a lot of dirty water around the country, leading to the spread of waterborne diseases, she said.

Most of the population was already suffering from conjunctivitis, respiratory conditions were affecting people who were living in constantly damp conditions and diarrhoea was becoming common.

"The thing that strikes me is just how tired people are," Maidaborn said.

Some families have had their life's work destroyed.

Some Fijians have spent every last cent trying to get ahead - and stop relying on aid - by planting crops just to have them destroyed again, she said.

The situations some Fijians were in, especially the likes of new mothers, was "unbearable to think about".

'MOTHER NATURE HAS BEEN KIND'

Suva-based Na Draki weather meteorologist Neville Koop said the capital and Kadavu were still hit by some "pretty innocuous" gusts and a few short sharp showers.

With winds up to 100 kilometres an hour.

"We've been blessed in some ways I think.

"Someone's looking down on us and taking pity on us," Koop said.

"Fortunately mother nature has been kind to us and the extremely hazardous weather anticipated has failed to materialise."

Koop said there was a feeling of dread on Wednesday evening.

"It was an 'oh no, here we go again' feeling.

"I think this morning as everyone gets up and sees what's happened, they'll be pleasantly surprised."

Fiji was in for a few nice days, which should help dry up flood waters and give the resilient population a chance to keep rebuilding.

Schools across the country remained closed on Thursday.

WHAT CAN KIWIS DO?

Maidaborn said the best thing anyone can do is donate money to an organisation they trust - one which has a permanent presence in the country.

Often following disasters, people donate goods. These are costly to transport and deliver to those in need.

"A lot of assessment goes into what's needed and in what order," she said.

New Zealand communities had already rallied together to raise money for Fiji and Maidaborn said she encouraged people to continue doing so.

Koop said to and from Fiji should be operational again soon, with the improved weather.

He encouraged people to keep their Fiji travel plans and help the country's economy by spending their tourist dollars there.

You can donate to Unicef's Fijian disaster relief fund here.

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