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Fiji: After the floods - Hope!

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Source: Adventist Development and Relief Agency International
Country: Fiji

Wahroonga, New South Wales — As rain clouds blanketed the sky, and the rain continued to pour, the Sigatoka River, Fiji, broke its banks with mighty force and destruction.

All Daven Doss could do was watch as the water rose and swamped his fields and dangerously encroached on his house. He knew there was only one thing left to do - flee to higher ground while his family still had the chance.

Through the blackness of the night, Daven gathered up his wife and five children and began the journey to the nearest school - more than a kilometre away - where they hoped to find shelter and safety.

While Daven sought refuge at the school he was worried - what would be left of his fields? How much, if any, of the pawpaw and rice which he had so carefully planted, and looked after, would be left after the waters subsided?

After two nights at the school Daven returned home. As he looked down at his fields his heart broke.

Where once green, lush pawpaw trees stood, now lay mangled, soggy plants, destroyed underneath mud and water. His rice crops, once flourishing, were now completely washed away. Even the few plants which still stood would soon begin to rot beneath the thick mud.

Daven's entire income of $20,000 had been swiftly and cruelly taken by the flood waters.

Their home hadn't been spared either; knee-deep water had swarmed through their house, destroying many of the family's possessions.

For Daven there was little to smile about, but he was grateful his family were safe.

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) were active in their response to the flood crisis, and were making their way to Kavanagasau, Daven's community on the eastern side of the Sigatoka River. Slowly and carefully, the ADRA trucks traversed through mud and potholes, bringing with them potentially life-saving supplies.

Their fields had held their futures - food for tomorrow and the weeks to come, and income for the future. Now all of these lay under think, brown mud. Daven worried about the future, but the biggest need was immediate - food and hygiene to survive as the clean up began.

Daven and his 12-year-old son Kelvin couldn't help but smile as the ADRA trucks approached them. As the food packs, and water and sanitation kits were placed in Daven's hands, he felt something he hadn't felt for a long time - hope. He knew his family would have something to eat, and he knew they would be healthy. They would have the energy, the security and the confidence to rebuild and restart.

Daven and his family, along with their friends and neighbours around them face a long journey of recovery. But with ADRA's support and encouragement it is a journey they can now begin with hope.

To support the response in Fiji, and ADRA Australia's ongoing Emergency Management work around the world please give to the Disaster Preparedness and Response fund online or by calling 1800 242 372.


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