Reporting: Fiji Disable Peoples Federation
General Progress Report
(Include key achievements, partners and challenges)
Reporting:
Fiji Disable Peoples Federation in partnership with Spinal Injury Association with the IDEA CLEAN project team formed five volunteer teams to conduct packing and distribution of dignity kits for Women and girls with disabilities not limiting to men and boys with disabilities living in affected areas around Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Rabi and Kioa post Cyclone Winston.
The initial Assessment was undertaken by Fiji Disable Peoples Federation with its member affiliates namely: Fiji Association of the Deaf, Spinal Injury Association, Psychiatric Survivors Association and United Blind Persons of Fiji in support of Pacific Disability Forum with financial support of UNICEF undertook an assessment for persons with disabilities to the affected areas from the Central, Western, Northern divisions including Koro and Ovalau as disability data was not part of the NDMO data, and therefore we saw the great need for persons with disabilities needs to be identified and supported for TC Winston response. This assessment report helped us identify the Data of members affected before and due toTC Winston.
The five groups served the-
1) Central Division
a)Rewa
III. 1 male
Total of 10 persons with Disabilities was assisted in Rewa
b) Tailevu South
III. 5male inclusive of 3 new cases
Total of 12 persons with disabilities was assisted in Tailevu South
III. 1boy
Total of 31 Persons with Disabilities was assisted in Tailevu North
2) Western Division
III. 1 Boy
Total of 13 Persons with Disabilities was assisted in Nadi
b) Lautoka
Total of 2 Persons with Disabilities was assisted in Lautoka
III. 1 child with disability have deceased
Total of 5 Persons with Disabilities was assisted in Ba
III. 5 Males
Total of 36 Persons with Disabilities was assisted in Ra
III. 3Males inclusive of 1 new case
Total of 5 Persons with Disabilities was assisted in Tavua
III. 8 Males
b) Koro
III. 7Males
Total of 52 persons with disabilities was assisted in Koro
Northern
III. 32Males inclusive of 4 new cases
1 Women with disabilities have deceased
III. 7 Males
III. 1Boy
Total of 30 persons with disabilities was assisted in Rabi
III. 1 Women with disabilities have deceased
5) Taveuni
III. 34 Males
Total of 71 persons with disabilities was assisted in Taveuni
Total number assisted | New cases | deceased | |
female | 201 | 49 | 9 |
girls | 26 | 1 | 1 |
Total of women and children | 227 | 50 | 10 |
Male | 149 | 33 | 2 |
boys | 31 | 7 | 0 |
Total of male and boys | 180 | 40 | 2 |
Overall total numbers of Persons with Disabilities | 407 | 90 | 12 |
*a total of 563 packs were bought from SIA for distribution in which 407 were given to the list given and 90 packs were given to the new cases and 66 packs were passed on to the respective regions DPOs to pass and give to the members who were not present during our visit or those that we cannot go to due to the geographic locations and their road condition.
All recipients of dignity packs were thankful for the visit and their dignity packs that was handed over to them. They were grateful for the assistant, and most of them have been receiving the support for the first time, and appreciation also shared by their family members that the thought and care for persons with disabilities. Cartons of books was handover to the Inclusive schools and Special schools for all students use in which it was well received by the school management.
Partners – Who all the partners you have been working with, how have you been working with them.
The Federation has been working with the Provincial councils from the Central, Western, Northern including Ovalau and Koro Divisions in informing them of the visits and traditionally request for their approval to distribute in the various villages and settlements.
Needs for persons with disabilities is ongoing even prior to TC Winston, moreover the need is twice or even for people more with the devastation of TC Winston. Women and girls with disabilities personal hygiene is of more risks in terms of health complications due to accessing WASH facilities, sanitary support for safety, protection , personal care to live a dignity lifeand independence in enjoying life to the fullest.
Conclusion
The Fiji Disable Peoples Federation with its member affiliates sincerely acknowledged the financial support rended to the organization from the UN Women CERF funding towards TC Winston, that has enable the Federation to also respond to the needs of women and girls with disabilities to the affected zones from the Central,Westernand Northern divisions including Ovalau and Koro in providing disability inclusive dignity packs and mobility devices to women and girls with disabilities, not limiting to children and men with disabilities which was overwhelming. This has also build the organisations capacity to continue the advocacy at various platforms in ensurering that disaster response is disability inclusive, by involving Disable Peoples organizations with persons with disabilities in all levels of development to implementation playing an advisery role on issues before during and after disaster response and recovery programs .
5 – Evidences – Pictures, videos etc.
2. Students of Ra special School were very delighted to receives their books as shown below
3. Usman Ali a 68 year old woman who suffered from a stroke of Navakai settlement in Nadi was in tears as she received her sanitary kits with a walker to help her to move.
4. Alanieta Dinaulu 83 years old of Kade, Koro Lomaiviti tries out her walker as shown below.
A 15 year old girl as pictured below acquired her disability after surgery. She could not walk and grow after her surgery. She has a growth disorder and the parents are so happy to receive her packs and diapers.
6. Vaira Wati a little person of Sawakasi, Tailevu North aged 55 receives her Sanitary Kits
7. Sakiusa Coci a 4 year old amputee on the left below knee was glad to receive his kits consisting of a toy, 3 books and a blanket as shown below.
11) Sovaia Suguvanua a female aged 17 of Noco, Rewa who has a weak limp is so happy to receive her packs as pictured below
12 Siapo Paka 92 elderly woman in Kioa who is also bedridden was so happy in receiving her packs.
13. Luisa Nai of Vuya, Bua, Vanualevu was given a walking stick to help her in moving around by our technician Solomoni Qaqa.
14. As shown below Solomoni Qaqa our technician trying to help Mrs Nai in trying out her new walking device.
15. Akeleto Tainamena of Taveuni age 57 is happy and lost of words as he receives his pack. His wheelchair footplates were also adjusted.
16. Vikotore Koroiadi ,8 year old child of Vuya, Bua, Vanualevu has a multiple disability- physical, slow learner, speech impaired as pictured below receives his kids pack. He cannot walk since his legs are weak; therefore He requested a UCP wheelchair children’s size, diaper XL, toys, plastic, books, pen etc. His parents had passed away so he also needs social welfare assistance to help him taken care of by his aunts.
17. Emali Veikoso a 12 year old of Weilagi Taveuni diagnosed with meningitis since 9 months old as pictured below. No physical movement. Emali is confined within the 4 walls of her home. Her dad seeks assistance from authorities for assistance for his daughter since they are growing old.
18 Voreqe Navule a 9 year old child of Qalitu district school in Vunivesi, Wailevu suffered from a cerebral palsy (CP) and requests children large diapers and a UCP wheelchair to help him mobilize. He was so excited upon receiving his children’s packs
19. Fiatagata an 18 year old male of Kioa who has a physical and speech impaired was so happy to receive his packs, he also requests for a wheelchair size 14
20. An elderly women in Rabi was assisted with a crutches which helped her to move around as pictured below