Page 17 - SPBD Dec 2021

SPBD Fiji 2020 SPBD Fiji 2020

STRONGER THAN WINSTON
On 27 February 2016, Tropical Cyclone Winston
struck Fiji. The category 5 storm was the most
devastating cyclone to ever hit the South Pacific.
More than 55,000 homes were completely
destroyed, 44 people died and at least 40
percent of Fiji’s population was directly affected.
Almost half of SPBD’s centres were
negatively impacted, and at least a quarter
of our members’ homes and businesses were
damaged.
In response, our relief programme provided
a vital goods and cash package to 2,610
members. The Recovery Phase gave 75 centres
an assortment of tools so communities could
rebuild and restore their homes and facilities.
Finally, the rehabilitation phase provided
financial assistance to ease the burden of our
members. We also provided grace periods
on repayments to these members to allow
time to concentrate on recovering from their
losses. Other loans were restructured, and
rehabilitation loans provided to members who
needed extra support to rebuild their businesses
or homes.

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