18 Mar 2010

Fiji Red Cross delivers cyclone aid

6:13 pm on 18 March 2010

A relief effort to supply aid to the victims of Cyclone Tomas is in full swing in Fiji as patrol boats are slowly arriving in some of the affected areas.

One person has been confirmed dead as damage reports are being compiled after the category 4 storm battered Vanua Levu and the Lau Group.

Officials say it'll be days until the full extent of the damage will be clear.

Red Cross personnel are among the staff that have left the capital for the worst hit areas and its coordinator, Vuli Gauna, says teams are trying to reach the thousands of people to deliver supplies.

"This includes packs containing enough clothing and hygiene materials, towels, blankets and a first aid kit for familes of six, it has water containers, tarpaulins."

Vuli Gauna says the focus is now on getting access to the northern eastern parts of Vanua Levu.

The Fiji National Disaster Management Office says only seven evacuation centres remain in operation.

205 people are still in six centres in the Eastern Division and 58 evacuees remain in one centre in Taveuni.