The appeal for donations launched by the Country last week to help the Fiji Islands has just ended. The Red Cross association has collected more than 400 boxes and it is now time to ship these donations.
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Posted on December 27, 2020 at 3:22 p.m., updated on December 27, 2020 at 3:54 p.m.
The archipelago of Fiji was severely affected by Cyclone Yasa on December 17. A call for donations was immediately launched by the country last week to help the inhabitants of the Fiji Islands. It just ended. The Red Cross association collected more than 400 boxes. Cardboard boxes made up of textiles and cleaning products only. Operation Solidarity has mobilized even in the most remote towns.
David Chang intervened Maiana Bambridge, vice-president of the Red Cross. “I would like to thank all the volunteers, and not just those of the Red Cross“.
Our journalists Jeanne Phanariotis and Sandro Ly were able to observe the strong mobilization of Polynesians.
If there is one thing that never varies in Polynesia, it is mutual aid. The one who grows souls to inspire others. Nathan, Tinihau and Lindsey were raised in this value. “It hurts your heart to see (…) that everything has been devastated, that they have nothing left. So it’s good to help. If we can bring something like clothes, that’s fine.“
Like them, they are a hundred others to have donated what they had at home. A figure that we did not expect from the Red Cross.
Tang Thomas is an agent of the presidency: “There we have a lot more people than we expected.“The Covid did not stop the generous donors from coming.”It’s still good !“
The clothes are very little worn. Karl Lis, president of the territorial delegation of the Red Cross in French Polynesia noted: “In terms of quality, we are happy. We have a bit of everything, second-hand clothes and new things. (…) We don’t have a lot of things to throw away.“
Present on site, the volunteers come from all social categories and come from very diverse geographical areas such as Taravao or Pirae. Newly mobilized WHO or health workers, members of religious denominations or homeless, all have shown that love and hope are not empty words in Polynesia.
Cyclone Yasa killed four people, including a baby. The country has made 15 million Fcfp available to buy, in particular, equipment such as chainsaws, water tanks, water purification tablets. It is now a matter of transporting these donations by boat to Suva. Seven containers will be transported aboard the Tahiti Nui. A final load is scheduled for Monday at 8 a.m. The ship will leave Papeete late Monday afternoon for a five-day trip.
A call for volunteers remains in place until 7 p.m. this Sunday. Meet at the presidency.
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