It’s been six months since Cyclone Winston struck the country and many people are still picking up the pieces.
Such is the case for the people of Koro, the delay in the supply of construction materials to help with rehabilitation works has further worsened their situation.
These people on Koro island were one of the worst affected by Tropical Cyclone Winston.
While others around the country have been able to hit the restart button, these villagers are still trying to get there.
” Shelter is still an issue, some of us are still living in tents because our homes were damaged. Some of the tents are leaking with water” said Karalaini Rokosalu
“After the cyclone, we’ve been crowded in homes which are small especially places to sleep in are crowded”
Farms which were destroyed by the cyclone will take a while to produce crops.
“At the moment, crops have not matured, cassava, taro have not matured”
However, some immediate needs have been met.
Food supply being the priority.
“There was enough food rations supplied after the cyclone and we manage to provide food for our children to schools” said Rokosalu
Some of the women have managed to gain income from selling pandanus caricosus or voivoi.
” The sale of Voivoi ( Pandanus ) has been of great assistance to us. We’ve managed to supply it to other villages and get some income”
UNDP has been assisting these women in the replanting of pandanus in all 14 villages.
There villagers are now waiting on building supplies to get their houses up before the Cyclone season begins in 2 months time.