Torrential rains caused by Tropical Depression TD17F caused widespread flooding on 30 March 2012 in particularly the Western Division of Fiji. The floods killed four people and temporarily displaced 15,000 people, causing damages to infrastructure, schools, homes, businesses and agriculture. With power and electricity disrupted for days, at least 150,000 people were affected. A State of Natural Disaster was declared for parts of the west of Fiji.

Once flood waters had sufficiently receded on 4 April, Government, Fiji Red Cross and NGO teams were quick to access and assess the impact on the population and provide relief. Within 10 days following the floods, electricity has been restored almost completely across the country. Water supply is partly restored, with only partial reticulated supply in all western towns and a clear overview of the supply situation in rural areas lacking this is an area of concern. Water is trucked to areas with disrupted supply. Evacuation centres have rapidly emptied but as of 18 April, 748 people (144 families; 451 adults; 255 children and 42 infants) remained in 15 evacuation centres, as their homes are destroyed or still affected by flood water, mud and silt.

The emergency has been largely managed with national capacities and resources, coordinated by the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO). Government has requested donors to provide specific assistance, including funding for aerial survey, logistics, tools, shelter and health supplies. Pacific Humanitarian Team clusters have been working closely with government lead agencies in areas of Health & Nutrition, Education, Emergency Shelter, Logistics and Protection, providing the requested relief and technical support. On 10 April Cabinet established a Disaster Rehabilitation Task Force responsible for the implementation of short to long term rehabilitation and rebuilding process and programmes, also considering future mitigation and preparedness strategies.

Sectoral initial damage assessments amount to more than FJD 71 million (USD 40 million) in key economic sectors.

Key priorities (as of 20 April):

• The prevention of outbreaks of communicable diseases is a priority, particularly given the extent of flooding, and many communities having no or limited access to safe water supply.
• Access to safe water and sanitation of rural and urban flood affected communities.
• Given extensive agriculture damages, food security is at risk with 12,799 farmers having sustained damages, leading to lower produce and increased food prices.
• There may be a need for psycho-social support to flood affected people.
• The above raises particular concern, including related to nutrition,  for the most vulnerable people, including children, pregnant and lactating mothers, the elderly, disabled, the poor and those that remain in evacuation centres, with host families or in other means of emergency shelter because their homes and damaged or destroyed.
• Assistance to people remaining in evacuation centres or temporary shelter will need a joint approach from shelter, WASH, protection and early recovery clusters and partners, also with regards to the rebuilding of permanent housing and possible resettlement