Update from our friends in Fiji

This is a reblog from Mike in Fiji. http://fijisharkdiving.blogspot.com/2016/02/cyclone-winston-images.html

It looks like they made it through the Cyclone OK, but that can’t be said for other parts of Fiji.

Just amazing.

I’ve just come back from Suva.

Insiders know the route which leads through several villages and settlements with plenty of ramshackle dwellings, and then through the suburb of Lami and finally, Suva proper. I was expecting to see some signs of the devastation but… nothing!

Everything is clean and tidy, and all I could discern were a total of three missing roofs where repairs were already well underway.

Like I said, just amazing!

But in the North and in the islands, things are completely different.

This is yesterday’s local News bulletin.

These poor people need urgent help.

Should you want to contribute, please re-read this – and should you want to use other channels, you may want to first ascertain whether the funds will be ultimately disbursed to the National Disaster Management Office and then, the District Disaster Management Committee (DISMAC) that are coordinating the efforts, and what portion of your funds will be wasted on overheads as is too often the case. Like the PM said, this is really not the moment for waste, duplication let alone obstruction!

Thank you very much!

If you would like to help out, Mike is recommending the following ways.
The Prime Minister’s disaster relief fund http://www.fiji.gov.fj/Media-Center/Press-Releases/FIJIAN-GOVERNMENT-ESTABLISHES-DISASTER-RELIEF-FUND.aspx

The Fiji Red Cross: http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=342687

I’m glad that our friends have made it through the Cyclone OK and I urge you to help the less fortunate one in Fiji via one of the above means.

Cheers,
Martin Graf
CEO Shark Diver

About Shark Diver. As a global leader in commercial shark diving and conservation initiatives Shark Diver has spent the past decade engaged for sharks around the world. Our blog highlights all aspects of both of these dynamic and shifting worlds. You can reach us directly at staff@sharkdiver.com.

25

Feb 2016

By Shark Divercyclone winstonComments Off

Update from our friends in Fiji

This is a reblog from Mike in Fiji. http://fijisharkdiving.blogspot.com/2016/02/cyclone-winston-images.html

It looks like they made it through the Cyclone OK, but that can’t be said for other parts of Fiji.

Just amazing.

I’ve just come back from Suva.

Insiders know the route which leads through several villages and settlements with plenty of ramshackle dwellings, and then through the suburb of Lami and finally, Suva proper. I was expecting to see some signs of the devastation but… nothing!

Everything is clean and tidy, and all I could discern were a total of three missing roofs where repairs were already well underway.

Like I said, just amazing!

But in the North and in the islands, things are completely different.

This is yesterday’s local News bulletin.

These poor people need urgent help.

Should you want to contribute, please re-read this – and should you want to use other channels, you may want to first ascertain whether the funds will be ultimately disbursed to the National Disaster Management Office and then, the District Disaster Management Committee (DISMAC) that are coordinating the efforts, and what portion of your funds will be wasted on overheads as is too often the case. Like the PM said, this is really not the moment for waste, duplication let alone obstruction!

Thank you very much!

If you would like to help out, Mike is recommending the following ways.
The Prime Minister’s disaster relief fund http://www.fiji.gov.fj/Media-Center/Press-Releases/FIJIAN-GOVERNMENT-ESTABLISHES-DISASTER-RELIEF-FUND.aspx

The Fiji Red Cross: http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=342687

I’m glad that our friends have made it through the Cyclone OK and I urge you to help the less fortunate one in Fiji via one of the above means.

Cheers,
Martin Graf
CEO Shark Diver

About Shark Diver. As a global leader in commercial shark diving and conservation initiatives Shark Diver has spent the past decade engaged for sharks around the world. Our blog highlights all aspects of both of these dynamic and shifting worlds. You can reach us directly at staff@sharkdiver.com.

25

Feb 2016

By Shark Divercyclone winstonComments Off

Our friends in Fiji made it through the cyclone!

It looks like our friends in Fiji made it through Cyclone Winston, the worst in history.

Here is Mike’s first hand report. http://fijisharkdiving.blogspot.com/2016/02/back-in-business.html?spref=fb

A picture of the devastation.

Back in Business!

We’re opening tomorrow.

But first.

This has been the worst cyclone to ever hit the SoPac, and one of the very worst globally.

Our thoughts go to the families of the deceased and missing, to the many who got injured, to the countless displaced, many of whom have literally lost everything.

But this is Fiji.

Yes the widespread stoicism in the face of the onrushing onslaught may have seemed peculiar – but the flip side is that after the event, there is no drama whatsoever as instead of lamenting and waiting for others to help, we get up, dust ourselves off and carry on.

Case in point, the power and water are miraculously back on, and everybody is busy cleaning up and helping friends and neighbors to get back on their feet. And a big bravo to Government who has been handling this admirably right from the get go, and who continues show leadership by being proactive, efficient and effective all throughout the country.

I also want to thank our friends.

Your outpouring of support has been frankly humbling, and we all thank you for that. No we really don’t need anything – but should you want to make a valuable contribution, please make a donation to the Fiji Red Cross or to the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation Fund as right now, those are by far the most effective venues for quickly getting the right help to the affected people.

Thank you very much.

Anyway, we’re open for business.

Can’t wait to have my first look at Shark Reef that has been battered by phenomenal seas. We’ve recently established a shallow nursery for different endangered Giant Clams, and I’m fearing the worst – but who knows, we here are resilient.

Keep watching this space!

http://fijisharkdiving.blogspot.com/2016/02/back-in-business.html?spref=fb

We are all glad you made it through OK and are looking forward to diving with you in May.

Cheers!

Martin Graf

CEO Shark Diver

About Shark Diver. As a global leader in commercial shark diving and conservation initiatives Shark Diver has spent the past decade engaged for sharks around the world. Our blog highlights all aspects of both of these dynamic and shifting worlds. You can reach us directly at staff@sharkdiver.com.

22

Feb 2016

By Shark Divercyclone winston, Shark reef marine reserveComments Off

Our friends in Fiji made it through the cyclone!

It looks like our friends in Fiji made it through Cyclone Winston, the worst in history.

Here is Mike’s first hand report. http://fijisharkdiving.blogspot.com/2016/02/back-in-business.html?spref=fb

A picture of the devastation.

Back in Business!

We’re opening tomorrow.

But first.

This has been the worst cyclone to ever hit the SoPac, and one of the very worst globally.

Our thoughts go to the families of the deceased and missing, to the many who got injured, to the countless displaced, many of whom have literally lost everything.

But this is Fiji.

Yes the widespread stoicism in the face of the onrushing onslaught may have seemed peculiar – but the flip side is that after the event, there is no drama whatsoever as instead of lamenting and waiting for others to help, we get up, dust ourselves off and carry on.

Case in point, the power and water are miraculously back on, and everybody is busy cleaning up and helping friends and neighbors to get back on their feet. And a big bravo to Government who has been handling this admirably right from the get go, and who continues show leadership by being proactive, efficient and effective all throughout the country.

I also want to thank our friends.

Your outpouring of support has been frankly humbling, and we all thank you for that. No we really don’t need anything – but should you want to make a valuable contribution, please make a donation to the Fiji Red Cross or to the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation Fund as right now, those are by far the most effective venues for quickly getting the right help to the affected people.

Thank you very much.

Anyway, we’re open for business.

Can’t wait to have my first look at Shark Reef that has been battered by phenomenal seas. We’ve recently established a shallow nursery for different endangered Giant Clams, and I’m fearing the worst – but who knows, we here are resilient.

Keep watching this space!

http://fijisharkdiving.blogspot.com/2016/02/back-in-business.html?spref=fb

We are all glad you made it through OK and are looking forward to diving with you in May.

Cheers!

Martin Graf

CEO Shark Diver

About Shark Diver. As a global leader in commercial shark diving and conservation initiatives Shark Diver has spent the past decade engaged for sharks around the world. Our blog highlights all aspects of both of these dynamic and shifting worlds. You can reach us directly at staff@sharkdiver.com.

22

Feb 2016

By Shark Divercyclone winston, Shark reef marine reserveComments Off