Fiji Health Team Activated For Cyclone Response

Suva, Fiji (AHN) – A Health Response Team has been activated in Fiji in light of Tropical Cyclone Tomas which is expected to hit the islands in the next 24 to 36 hours. Health spokesman Iliesa Tora said the team will be on standby should their assistance be needed. He said the main team will be based at Suva’s Colonial War Memorial Hospital which will link with the teams in Labasa and Lautoka, in Fiji’s north and west respectively. “Our priority is to ensure the safety of our staff and facilities so we will monitor the cyclone closely.

“If there is a need to close facilities and evacuate our staff we will do that and advise people accordingly,” Tora said. Tropical Cyclone Tomas has now developed into a Category Three cyclone with heavy rain and devastating winds in the next 24 hours.

A cyclone warning has been issued for the northern part of Vanua Levu, Fiji’s second largest island, northern Lau group and nearby islands.

The rest of the Fiji group is still on cyclone alert.

---