A Fiji-based cruise company says it is forging ahead with its 11-day cruise to the remote Lau island group, which was heavily damaged by Cyclone Winston.
The island of Vanua Balavu, as well as other small islands closer to the Lomaiviti group including Ovalau and Koro Islands, were some of the worst-hit areas by the category five cyclone.
Photo: Captain Cook Cruises
The general manager of Captain Cook Cruises, Jackie Charlton, said they have taken clothes and food donated by the Rotary Club Fiji and Sea Mercy out to the remote islands.
"The most amazing array of basic supplies, these great wheelie bins and so they were carried and loaded very very easily. And then big crates of, you know bags of flour and basic crops and things that are just so important to continuing life easily for them."
Jackie Charlton said only one passenger on the 11-day cruise cancelled the trip and most offered to bring more supplies with them and to help clean up the villages they are visiting.
Fiji police step back from aid assistance
Fiji Police are stepping back from assistance with aid distribution after Cyclone Winston so that they can begin performing their core role of maintaining law and order.
Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho told the FBC the directive has been issued over two weeks after Winston.
Fiji police Photo: Supplied
Mr Qiliho says he did a review of operations in line last week and says Police need to step back now to look after the law and order situation so that they can produce a conducive environment for Fiji to recover.
The Commissioner says government departments now need to step in and fill in the gaps now.
