Some days prior to the cyclone, the meteorological centre strongly warned all the people in the two main islands (Vanua Levu and Viti Levu) and other lesser islands in the Fiji Islands to be very careful and take necessary precautions as much as possible when Cyclone Ami passed through the country. Continuous warnings were issued to all residents by the meteorological centre because the cyclone can suddenly change its direction unexpectedly at any time of its passage through the South Pacific. For that reason, people all over Fiji waited nervously for the cyclone to strike at any moment.

I cannot now recall the date when the cyclone struck but I remember it was one early morning. Between 3-4 am I could hear the thundering and whistling wind blowing so strongly outside of my residence. Suddenly I looked outside the transparent glass and saw banana trees falling down to the ground. At once I thought the strong wind had blown away the roof. I got so scared that I almost went under the bed. The wind that hit my residence was like sea waves hitting the sea wall. At some stage I thought the house was going to collapse but, praise God, it withstood the pressure. Remember! The above this short description is about what happened in Suva. This was only a small fraction of what was experienced in the northern end of the North Island when the main cyclone passed through.

It was reported that the main swirling cyclone hit the northern end of Vanua Levu at about 3-4 am while it was still dark. The power and telephone lines fell down and there was no way that the residents could contact anyone. They were completely cut out from the entire world, struggling and fighting for their survival in darkness. It was not only the strong wind that these people had to fight but also the floods that entered their homes. Family members ran for their lives to the higher grounds defying Cyclone Ami but unfortunately a few didn’t make it. It was reported that about 17 or so people lost their lives. What a nightmare for the surviving families who have experienced this unfriendly event of nature!

The worse thing about this cyclone is that it lasted for a couple of hours in Fiji before moving out. While maintaining its intensity, Cyclone Ami passed through slowly causing extensive damage. Though people were prepared for the worse, they could do nothing to stop or divert the course of the thunderous swirling tidal waves which werte released one after another.

Despite the military and civilian coups of 1987 and 2000, Fiji – in many ways – has a stable economy as compared with other developing countries in the Asia Pacific Region like Papua New Guinea or the Solomon Islands. The stability of the economy is founded firmly on the Indo-Fijians indefatigable involvement in the agriculture sector, especially in the sugar industry, and the native Fijians active participation in the tourism industry. However, whether a stable or unstable economy, when natural disasters strike, it leaves no option but to test the nation’s ability to respond to the best of its abilities.

The unfriendly Cyclone Ami, though severely affecting only a small part of the North Island, nevertheless tested Fiji’s ability to respond to the needs of its people on the spot quickly and urgently. Were it not for the prompt actions by NGOs (non-governmental organizations) and some international aid agencies, some who survived might have died. The central administration of Fiji was moving through bureaucratic procedures in the name of proper accountability and transparency, while people on the ground were suffering and needed immediate attention and help once the cyclone had moved on its way back into the Pacific.

It was reported that people needed immediate food, water, shelter, clothes and medical help. The Red Cross and other NGOs anticipated the looming urgent need and were ready for it. They did what they could at the time to help the families who needed food, water, clothes, shelter and medical care. A few days later some international agencies provided assistance via the local NGOs for basic necessities to help those in need.

Garry Sali's children

Churches throughout Fiji are praying hard and playing an important role in supplying relief through both money and materials to church members in different denominations. Our church played its own part in buying some stationery and making contributions to the relief efforts. At least in a small way we have all helped towards a good cause, something I feel good about.

Cyclone Ami has left many people, particularly those of the Indo-Fijian race, in a state of confusion, anger, frustration, humiliation and hopelessness. This cyclone, regarded as one of the worst in history, has emotionally and psychologically traumatized the people so much that it may take years before they fully recover. I was fortunate that my wife and children were safe in Port Moresby, PNG when Cyclone Ami visited the Islands of Fiji.

Garry Sali, BA(Hons), PhD,
Lecturer in Social Work,
University of the South Pacific