Fiji Islands April 5, 2012
By Bir Krishna Goswami
A major disaster has just hit the Fiji Islands, in the South Pacific. Torrential rains lasting over a week have caused the worst flooding in the history of the nation. Major
rivers have overflooded their banks burying towns along with the their business and residential districts.
Many people were trapped on their rooftops and had to be rescused by helicopters or boats. People lost their lives in the unexpecteded calamity that occured while they
were still sleeping in their beds.
Over 25,000 people lost their homes, Approximately 100,000 are without adequate food, water, or clothing. Over 5,000 businesses have lost everything; their stock, their
stores, their furniture and will be without any income. The infrastructure (roads,electricity, water supply) is in shambles. Crops are completely damaged. Food is hard to
come by and when it is available it is too expensive for most people to afford.
Hare Krishna Food for Life, the world’s largest Vegetarian relief organization has mobilized their resources to feed, and clothe tens of thousands of people. So far over
15,000 people are being fed by the volunteers of this organization. Many people are stepping forward to provide foodstuffs for Food for Life to cook hot meals for the
homeless, and clothes to replace the clothes that were destroyed by the floods.
Food for Life can help more people, but their need more resources in the form of foodstuffs, clothes, bedding, medical supplie school supplies, or money.
If you are interested in helping the situation by volunteering or providing any of these necessities contact: Dr. Rajesh Maharaj (Food for Life Fiji Coordinator) at:
Maharajr@connect.com.fj Telephone +679 (country code) 9926349. Or International Food Life Coordinator BK Goswami at: bkgoswami@earthlink.net