Latest Update (3rd July 2010)

Phase 2 donations have now closed. The final total of food packs distributed was 146, and 20 clothing bags also distributed to the people of Vanua Levu.

5th May 2010

Below are photographs of the food packs and their contents as they were being packed:

3rd May 2010

Approximately 150 foodpacks are now being prepared, due to the support of donors and coordination of donations and logisitics by Iqra Islamic Trust, Rasheed Memorial Dawah Trust in New Zealand and Al-Ghazzali Centre in Australia. We will, God wiling, be posting photographs of the distribution as they become available. The food packs contain the following items:

• Baked Beans (400g) x 2
• Tea (200g) x 2
• Full Cream Milk Powder (500g) x 1
• Sugar(4kg) x 1
• Breakfast Crackers (375g) x 3
• Jam Conserve (450g) x 2
• Tuna Flakes (170g) x 4
• Mackeral in T/Sauce (425g) x 2
• Noodles (85g) x 3
• Rice (10kg) x 1
• Flour (10kg) x 1

Collections for stage 2 have now commenced, and we have reset the doantion thermometer. With a surplus of $1,160 from Stage 1, we already have a head start in reaching our target!

14th April 2010

The deadline for phase 1 to commence is the end of next week (23rd April), with food packs to start arriving during May. Details of food packs coming soon...

23rd March 2010

The Fiji Islands was struck by a significant cyclone. A category 4 major storm, Cyclone Tomas had winds of up to 205 km/hr, affecting its 2nd largest island, Vanua Levu and many of the surrounding islands, including Kadavu and Taveuni. On Tuesday 16th March, 2010, the impact of the cyclone was evident as nearly 20,000 people fled to either evacuation centres or other shelters. The total population of Fiji’s 2nd largest island is approximately 130,000, thus affecting more than 15% of the total population of the island.

A significant number of homes have been destroyed, leaving many of the 20,000 people at the mercy of the elements and makeshift shelters due to the overcrowding at many of the evacuation centres. A cyclone of this nature also destroys the natural crops and makes much of the fresh water sources flooded, extremely muddied and not suitable as potable water.

Al-Ghazzali Centre already has its Humanitarian and Welfare program, The Ansaar Project (formerly known as the Crescent Project) in Fiji Islands by partnering with a reputable local sister organisation, Iqra Islamic Trust, based in Suva, Fiji. Consequently, through The Ansaar Project, we have undertaken a reconnaissance overview of the situation in Vanua Levu through our partnerships with local Mosque organisations, Macuata Muslim League. Through this feedback, The Ansaar Project is preparing to provide emergency assistance to the local efforts for short-term stabilisation of the human suffering due to the cyclone.

Al-Ghazzali Centre will coordinate financial assistance as well as a possible volunteer team comprising of skilled construction personnel from Australia, Rasheed Memorial Dawah Trust in New Zealand and Iqra Islamic Trust to provide short-term relief support to the key affected areas at this stage on Vanua Levu.

Our proposed forward planning at this early stage is:

Phase 1 (confirmed, current phase seeking your assistance)

• Iqra Fiji coordinate fundraising in Fiji and New Zealand (in collaboration with Rasheed Memorial Trust).
• Al-Ghazzali Centre coordinate fundraising in Australia.
• Iqra Fiji to finalise reconnaissance and needs checklist.
• Iqra Fiji to secure local transportation assistance.
• Iqra Fiji to place emergency packs order and arrange deliveries.

Phase 2 (Week 4 from current time)

• Pay for emergency packs in Fiji, transport by boat to Savusavu.
• Engage local transportation for on-location deliveries.
• Iqra Fiji to update on delivery timelines.

Phase 3 (Proposal only)

• Re-evaluate on-location and ground-zero situations for re-construction assistance.
• Estimate re-construction needs and assess our SWOT.
• ISurplus funds to be directed to any re-construction efforts.