When Tropical Cyclone Yasa made landfall in Vanua Levu on 17th December 2020, it left a path of destruction in its wake and a 30-days State of Natural Disaster declared for Fiji.
The National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) described TC Yasa as a Category 5 cyclone and one of the strongest to hit Fiji since TC Winston in 2016, with an estimated 21,000 household affected by being homeless, loss of agricultural crops and livestock.
Mr Watekini Taga’s household is one of those that fall into the category and he has been rebuilding his life and that of his family ever since.
The 62-year-old from Votua Village in Lekutu, Bua described TC Yasa as one of the worst ever cyclones he has encountered.
“We thought we were fairly safe as we made prior preparations before the cyclone but the wrath of TC Yasa was at another level never experienced before,” Mr Taga said.
“When the cyclone hit, the winds kept getting stronger.
“Just when we thought it was as bad as it could get, the wind picked up even more.”
“Trees blew down and ripped out the roofs of our homes leaving us no choice but to flea our village and seek refuge with other villagers at the nearby school.”
Mr Taga added while they thought they would be all safe at Lekutu District School, strong winds ripped of the classroom ceilings leaving them exposed to the heavy rain and flying debris.
“At the time my only worry was to account for the 8 members of my family – 4 adults and 4 children and ensure they were safe.”
“My family’s safety was my first priority at the time and I decided not to let the destruction left behind by TC Yasa worry me too much.”
Answered Prayers
It was not until the Ministry of Forestry cleared the village road of debri and fallen trees two days later that we were able to return home to see the sad state of destruction left by TC Yasa.
“I was shocked to see only the foundation of my house sitting there and at the time I felt lost, hopeless and helpless,” Mr Taga said. “I didn’t know how I was going to rebuild my house and where would I get the finances to buy housing materials from. All I did was pray.”
It did not take long for Mr Taga’s prayers to be answered after Government’s intervention through the Ministry of Forestry.
“Our village was fortunate to be part of a pine scheme – the Bua Pine Scheme,” Mr Taga said. “I thank our forefathers for their wisdom and wise decision-making at the time because we are now reaping the benefits of what they planted three decades ago.”
“In my darkest hour when I was worried about rebuilding our home, Government decides to assist us by repurposing the fallen trees.”
Endless Government Support Appreciated
With the support of Fiji Pine Limited and Fiji Hardwood Corporation Limited, Government through the Ministry of Forestry and its stakeholders were able to re-purpose timber from trees felled during recent series of cyclones and have them ready for villagers like Mr Taga.
Specifically, Fiji Pine Limited and Fiji Hardwood Corporation supplied both pine and mahogany timber and assorted housing materials while the Ministry of Forestry provided portable sawmills and carpenters.
In addition to providing its staff to operate the sawmills, the Ministry also trained the communities to assist and on occasions to actually mill the timber themselves.
“The team from the Ministry of Forestry were with us ever since TC Yasa clearing debri and fallen trees, ration distribution and rebuilding our homes,” Mr Taga said.
“There were some staff of the ministry from Suva who sacrificed their Christmas and New Year away from their family just to restore normalcy for us in the North.” Mr Taga said they had just farewelled a few staff from the Ministry of Forestry last month who were there since January rebuilding their homes.
“There were two carpenters from the Ministry of Forestry and two portable sawmill operators who were here training village youths in Bua teaching them carpentry skills and also operation of a portable sawmill,” Mr Taga said.
“I am really grateful for Government’s intervention during our desperate times and also ensuring inter-government agencies were here on time to assist the people in the North.”
Mr Taga said they were surely not left behind in their time of need.
