From: AAP April 01, 2012 4:04 PM
FOREIGN Minister Bob Carr says Australia will provide whatever assistance is needed to Fiji, where floods have devastated the Pacific Island nation.
"We stand by ready to offer any assistance that's necessary for the government and people of Fiji," Mr Carr told reporters in Sydney today.
"We're ready for the Fijian Government to tell us anything they need and we'll respond, I hope it can be said with the generosity with which we responded to New Zealand's crisis during the Christchurch earthquake."
A state of natural disaster was declared for western Fiji today.
It follows flooding in which at least three people have died and 4000 have been forced into evacuation centres.
"Australians travelling to Fiji ought to be aware of the restrictions," Mr Carr said.
"We're not aware at this stage of Australians who have been injured or whose safety is seriously at risk."
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April 01, 2012
The Australian: Storm-hit Fiji turns tourists away
From: AFP April 01, 2012 3:21PM
FLOOD-ravaged Fiji has declared a state of emergency and warned tourists to stay away for the time being, as heavy rain and high winds continued to pound the South Pacific nation.
Officials said they could not guarantee visitors' safety in the wake of flash floods that have killed at least two people and forced more than 5,000 to take shelter in evacuation centres.
With roads to the international airport in Nadi cut off and extreme weather expected to continue until Tuesday, officials asked airlines not to bring in any more tourists until tomorrow at the earliest.
“This action is being reluctantly taken by the Fijian government to ensure the safety and convenience of international visitors and Fijian citizens seeking to return to Fiji,” Tourism Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said.
The request is believed to be unprecedented for tourist-dependent Fiji.
National carrier Air Pacific said it had cancelled all inbound flights scheduled for today and was operating only limited outbound flights for passengers who had already checked in at Nadi airport.
Airports Fiji Limited chief executive Tony Gollin said hundreds of international passengers were at the airport awaiting departure.
Many more have been unable to reach the airport, in the west of the main island Vita Levu, after fallen trees, landslides and swollen rivers cut road access.
The government declared a state of emergency in flood-affected areas, saying the move would make coordinating flood relief more effective.
“It's all about efficiency, allowing all parties to just go in there and get going,” a government spokeswoman said.
Police and the military were helping coordinate clean-up efforts but the ferocious weather meant that in some areas makeshift repairs to damaged homes were torn apart almost as soon as they were completed.
The entire centre of Nadi was declared off limits to the public because police said the force of water running through the streets after the town's river burst its banks threatened to sweep people away.
The latest flood disaster comes after a six-day deluge in January claimed 11 lives.
AFP
FLOOD-ravaged Fiji has declared a state of emergency and warned tourists to stay away for the time being, as heavy rain and high winds continued to pound the South Pacific nation.
Officials said they could not guarantee visitors' safety in the wake of flash floods that have killed at least two people and forced more than 5,000 to take shelter in evacuation centres.
With roads to the international airport in Nadi cut off and extreme weather expected to continue until Tuesday, officials asked airlines not to bring in any more tourists until tomorrow at the earliest.
“This action is being reluctantly taken by the Fijian government to ensure the safety and convenience of international visitors and Fijian citizens seeking to return to Fiji,” Tourism Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said.
The request is believed to be unprecedented for tourist-dependent Fiji.
National carrier Air Pacific said it had cancelled all inbound flights scheduled for today and was operating only limited outbound flights for passengers who had already checked in at Nadi airport.
Airports Fiji Limited chief executive Tony Gollin said hundreds of international passengers were at the airport awaiting departure.
Many more have been unable to reach the airport, in the west of the main island Vita Levu, after fallen trees, landslides and swollen rivers cut road access.
The government declared a state of emergency in flood-affected areas, saying the move would make coordinating flood relief more effective.
“It's all about efficiency, allowing all parties to just go in there and get going,” a government spokeswoman said.
Police and the military were helping coordinate clean-up efforts but the ferocious weather meant that in some areas makeshift repairs to damaged homes were torn apart almost as soon as they were completed.
The entire centre of Nadi was declared off limits to the public because police said the force of water running through the streets after the town's river burst its banks threatened to sweep people away.
The latest flood disaster comes after a six-day deluge in January claimed 11 lives.
AFP
Aussies stranded in Fiji floods told 'spare water'
15:30 AEDT Sun Apr 1 2012
By David Meddows, ninemsn
A Sydney family who are trapped by floodwaters in Fiji's Shangri La hotel say guests are being told to use water sparingly after being stuck for nearly three days.
Helen and Michael Geirhos, from Kings Langley, are holed up in the hotel with Terese Donachie and Bill Bruce, together with four children.
The family had planned to leave on 30 March but have not been able to get to the airport to fly home.
Mrs Geirhos has told of a lack of communication from hotel staff, leaving the group unsure of what action to take.
"We can move around, but we have been given no instructions," she told ninemsn.
"No announcements, only signs in the lobby telling us to stay put.
"Nadi is operating but we can't get there," she added.
Are you stranded, or do you know some who is stranded in the Fiji floods? Let us know by sending an email to news.feedback@ninemsn.com.au
The lack of access to the hotel has guests concerned about the ongoing supply of drinking water and fresh food.
But the hotel has said they are in constant communication with the Fijian government and will have supplies dropped in if necessary.
Michael Monks, the hotel's general manager, denied their was immediate concern for the welfare of his guests, but conceded they had asked for people to be careful with their water usage.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has set up a consular crisis centre after it was revealed a number of Australian are stranded in Fiji following the recent damaging floods.
By David Meddows, ninemsn
A Sydney family who are trapped by floodwaters in Fiji's Shangri La hotel say guests are being told to use water sparingly after being stuck for nearly three days.
Helen and Michael Geirhos, from Kings Langley, are holed up in the hotel with Terese Donachie and Bill Bruce, together with four children.
The family had planned to leave on 30 March but have not been able to get to the airport to fly home.
Mrs Geirhos has told of a lack of communication from hotel staff, leaving the group unsure of what action to take.
"We can move around, but we have been given no instructions," she told ninemsn.
"No announcements, only signs in the lobby telling us to stay put.
"Nadi is operating but we can't get there," she added.
Are you stranded, or do you know some who is stranded in the Fiji floods? Let us know by sending an email to news.feedback@ninemsn.com.au
The lack of access to the hotel has guests concerned about the ongoing supply of drinking water and fresh food.
But the hotel has said they are in constant communication with the Fijian government and will have supplies dropped in if necessary.
Michael Monks, the hotel's general manager, denied their was immediate concern for the welfare of his guests, but conceded they had asked for people to be careful with their water usage.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has set up a consular crisis centre after it was revealed a number of Australian are stranded in Fiji following the recent damaging floods.
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