In 1993, Cyclone Nina caused widespread devastation across Fiji, leaving many residents to rebuild their lives in the aftermath. On January 19 of that year, The Fiji Times reported on the extensive damage and ongoing recovery efforts following Cyclone Kina.
Saroj Kumari, a housewife from Naitasiri living on Nacokalka Rd near Baulevu, expressed her frustration as her family faced the monumental task of rebuilding their home, which had been severely impacted by the cyclone. The storm had destroyed furniture and other household items. Kumari shared her experience of flooding caused by the overflowing Rewa River, which submerged their tin shack, forcing the family to salvage a few belongings before seeking refuge on a nearby hill. The floodwaters rendered their furniture beyond repair, leading them to burn what was left.
“We will have to begin all over again,” Kumari lamented. “Cyclone Kina has destroyed all our treasured items — beds, wardrobes, settees, tables, mattresses and blankets.” Despite the challenges, she and her family, which includes her husband, a construction worker, and their three children, were making slow progress in rebuilding their lives. She expressed gratitude to the Disaster Management Committee for their aid, stating, “We have got enough food to last a month.”
In Koroqaqa, residents were struggling with the aftermath of livestock mortality. The sight of dead cows, burned by soldiers, created an unpleasant odor and raised concerns over potential disease outbreaks. A local resident reported discovering over 200 dead cows, some still trapped underneath debris.
In Waila, near Nausori, Bhan Mati, 45, was living in a tent with her 18-year-old son, awaiting government assistance to reconstruct their home. “This is the first time I have seen food distributed so quickly and fairly,” she noted, expressing satisfaction with the assistance provided. When asked about any cases of people receiving rations they didn’t deserve, she replied, “No, we haven’t, but they should not be doing that.”
Residents of Corbett Avenue in Waila reported minimal damage to their homes but still received food rations, including tinned fish, mutton, and flour. Some questioned the allocation of aid, suggesting that resources could have been better directed towards those in greater need.
Krishan Prasad, a divisional planning officer for Central, addressed concerns regarding the food distribution, attributing the issues to registration errors and explaining that supplies were distributed based on the advisory councillors’ lists. He assured that the distribution process would be reviewed to address complaints and confirmed that additional food provisions would be supplied to those who initially received limited amounts.