Generators wanted for struggling Fiji

Roy Alder is appealing for generators to help restore power supplies to families affected by Cyclone Winston in Fiji. Photo / Michael Cunningham

A Northlander just back from Fiji is appealing for generators to help families still without power, four months after Cyclone Winston ravaged the island nation.

Pensioner Roy Alder saw first hand rural communities in the western cane belt areas of Ba and Lautoka coping without a refrigerator and read stories in a local newspaper of children studying at night under candles.

The 78-year-old from Whangarei returned home last weekend after spending three weeks with friends in Fiji and said it was pointless sending relief items such as clothes.

"What they need is generators or anything that would run fridges, lights, and help children with their school work. Even used generators from here would do the trick," he said.

A 2-3 kVA generator in Fiji cost about $2000, he said.

Mr Alder said power poles along the main highways in some areas have been replaced by pine poles as it appeared the authorities ran out of concrete poles.

He stayed with Indian friends who did not have power themselves and said electricity in some areas may not be restored until Christmas.

"My heart goes out to them and I financially helped them while over there. They're good people and they try and I help people who try.

"Besides power, everything else is getting back to normal. I helped send a bag of clothes and I think there were two container full of clothes from Whangarei and three from Dargaville that were sent over.

"I think if they have generators they can keep their food fresh. My campaign is to see if we can get some generators across and I am doing this on my own bat," Mr Alder said.

He said those with fridges and washing machines were not able to use them for four long months and uncertainty regarding the restoration of electricity loomed large in rural areas.

Anyone wishing to donate generators or who can help transporting them to Fiji can call the Northern Advocate on 09 4702875 and we'll put the donors in touch with Mr Alder.