Fiji
When Winston hit
When Cyclone Winston strikes Fiji on 20 February 2016, it pummels the country and leaves a trail of devastation. Thousands of homes are destroyed, and water, power and communication outages are expected to continue for several days.
21 February 2016
An RNZAF P3-K2 Orion reconnaissance aircraft conducts aerial surveys less than 24 hours after Winston hits to assess the damage. This vital information provides Fijian officials with a clearer picture of the damage, saving them days of on-site damage assessments and enabling them to immediately secure international aid for relief efforts.
It it is clear that Fiji faces a major clean-up and recovery operation. A RNZAF C-130 Hercules is ordered to depart for Suva. It carries almost 13 tonnes of emergency aid supplies and a Joint Reconnaissance Team made up of NZDF personnel, Fire Service and Ministry of Health staff to assist the Government of Fiji with damage assessments and help coordinate New Zealand’s aid effort.
37
specialist Army engineers
arrive in Suva
24 February 2016
An advance group of 37 specialist Army engineers arrive in Suva to help with the rebuilding process. They work alongside the Fijian military to support communities who have been devastated by the cyclone.
28 February 2016
A week after the cyclone, Offshore Patrol Vessel HMNZS Wellington arrives with 60 tonnes of aid supplies and 71 military personnel. Around 60 Army carpenters, electricians, plumbers, plant operators and combat engineers work alongside Republic of Fiji Military Forces soldiers to repair schools and clinics in Viti Levu and on Yacata and Vanuabalavu islands in northern Lau.
We were overwhelmed and our resources were stretched. And with inadequate capabilities, it's hard to imagine with demands for relief without New Zealand's assistance.
Inia Seruiratu, Fiji's Minister for Disaster Management
Army engineers set up a water desalination station that converts seawater into drinking water at Lomaloma village on Vanuabalavu Island. Up to 10,000 litres of potable drinking water is produced each day to support the New Zealand contingent and Lomaloma residents.
3 March 2016
Logistics and Supply vessel HMNZS Canterbury arrives from New Zealand with 106 tonnes of essential supplies, including building materials, water tanks and medical supplies. On board are 300 personnel, 2 Air Force NH90 helicopters, 1 Seasprite helicopter and 45 military vehicles. Army personnel undertake construction work including rebuild schools, evacuation centres and medical facilities on Vanua Balavu Island and elsewhere in Fiji.
Army personnel and a Medium to Heavy Operation Vehicle are unloaded off an Landing Craft Mechanism from HMNZS Canterbury in Fiji. The NZDF has to Fiji to provide Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief following Tropical Cyclone Winston.
Members of the Amphibious Beach Team unload water tanks from a Landing Craft at Lomaloma on Vanua Balavu Island. The NZDF deployed to Fiji to provide Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief following Tropical Cyclone Winston.
NZDF personnel unload tents from a Medium Heavy Operational Vehicle (MHOV) at the New Zealand Defence Force Forward Operating Base at Lomaloma. The tents - donated by the People's Republic of China - were taken on board HMNZS Canterbury in Suva for distri
CPL Lochlann Murphy (left) converses with MATBRO driver PTE Ricky Scott (right) during movement operations at the New Zealand Defence Force Forward Operating Base at Lomaloma. The NZDF deployed to Fiji to provide Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief follo
A member of the Amphibious Beach Team plays a game of "ABC" with a local child at Lomaloma on Vanua Balavu Island, during a lull in New Zealand Defence Force amphibious operations. The NZDF deployed to Fiji to provide Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief
15 APRIL 2016
A ceremony is held at Queen Elizabeth Barracks, Suva, to mark the conclusion of NZDF support to the response to Tropical Cyclone Winston. In addition to the immediate relief provided to Fijian people and communities, the deployment demonstrates NZDF's commitment to supporting Pacific nations and in particular the benefits of being able to work in partnership with our friends in the Fijian military forces.
In all, close to 500 combat engineers, soldiers, and aircrew are deployed on the humanitarian aid operation in Fiji
SPR Jared Humphries at work at the construction site for one of the new accommodation buildings at Lomaloma. The NZDF deployed to Fiji to provide Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief following Tropical Cyclone Winston.