While most families across the country will tuck into a Christmas feast, Fijians affected by super storm Yasa will be foraging in what’s left of their farms in search of food.
For the people of Nacamaki on Koro Island, Navakawau on Taveuni and those in Wailevu, Cakaudrove, this Christmas would be one of the most difficult because of the devastation caused by the Category 5 cyclone.
Vuna district representative Laisiasa Tuimouta said Christmas this year would be difficult for about 200 people in Navakawau because their farms and breadfruit crops were severely damaged.
He said villagers were forced to “celebrate” Christmas early this week because they had to make use of crops prematurely uprooted by STC Yasa.
“In the next two weeks, we will have to rummage around for food, especially vegetables and root crops,” he said.
Former Wailevu district representative Samuela Qolikoro said villagers would be faced with a food crisis in the next few weeks.
“We have a situation in Wailevu, Naiqaqi and Valeni where villagers are surviving on what they could salvage from their farms,” he said.
“This will not last for long so we are cooking what we can to make use of our crops and vegetables.
“It will be a Christmas with a difference for affected villages in the district of Wailevu because the best crops earmarked for Christmas are now damaged.”
Maleli Nawai from Denimanu Village on Yadua Island said villagers would be faced with huge challenges finding food in the coming weeks.
