Rebuild Naigani Village, Fiji

This is Naigani Village, on the island of Batiki, in the heart of Fiji.

This is what is left after being hit by Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston, a Category 5 cyclone, and the strongest to hit Fiji ever. If that wasn't enough, this village was also hit by a tsunami, from an undersea earthquake roughly 200 km to the south, DURING the cyclone.

The village, comprising of 12 households, had to evacuate to the hills to avoid the waves, and watched as what was left of their houses was washed away, which is why there is very little debrie left. All that is left standing are the watertanks, and the village church.

The villagers all survived, having evacuated before the tsunami hit, and are sheltering at a neighbouring village,  because they have no homes to return to.

All funds will be used to rebuild the 12 houses that were destroyed. As soon as possible.

Any assistance given will be greatly appreciated. 

Who am I: Isaia Lawaniyasana

Where am I from: I hail from Vabea, a village on Ono Island in the Southern Fijian provincial island group of Kadavu.

My relationship to the parties I'm raising funds for: My people from Ono share a common ancestor with the people of Batiki. It was, and still is the practice for our people to look out for each other. Which is why I'm doing this.

How will the money be spent: The funds raised will go towards rebuilding the homes that have been destroyed by TC Winston and the tidal waves. My aim is to finance, partially or fully (as donations dictate) the rebuilding of all the dwellings that have been lost in this village.

If I'm successful in this endeavour, and there are still funds left, I will assist others around Fiji who have also lost their homes or had it damaged, until the funds are exhausted.

I'm focusing on the rebuilding aspect of this disaster, because I believe that the food, clothing, educational and other needs are being adequately handled by a lot of other like-minded people and organisations, and at the end of the day, the victims of this tragedy need a roof over their heads.

How do you intend to get the funds to those needed: All funds donated will be deposited in the Naigani Village Recovery Account, for the initial phase of the campaign. If we are fortunate enough to be able to achieve the target as stated, the additional funds will be given directly to either the home owners or the communities who we are trying to assist get a roof back over their heads. 

The only overheads will be any transactional fees and exchange rate losses.

I will also post evidence of these deposits so that all who donate can see that their donations are reaching the targeted recipients as intended.