Joeli starts own relief mission

Distraught over the destruction Cyclone Tomas is bringing to his homeland, Joeli Vakalala could not concentrate at work, so instead began organising relief supplies.

His head at Hillside Engineering, Dunedin, gave him the day off and through connections, he organised free, duty-free, freight of a container to Fiji, set to leave in three weeks.

His village, on the island of Vanua Levu, was one of the worst hit on Monday night as winds reached up to 250kmh.

He could not sleep, so early yesterday he began calling family and friends who told him the cyclone was one of the worst experiences of their lives.

Fijians were used to tropical storms but this one was different because of its size - category 4 - and its slow movement, he said.

"It's way beyond what I expected."

High winds and waves which "bust up the sea walls" left homes devastated.

Most of the crops were also destroyed, from which it could take up to seven months to recover.

Despite the Fijian Government being illegal, he praised it for being "really well organised".

Information was provided quickly and relief workers were swift to respond.

However, he expected the nation's financial situation and damaged infrastructure to slow down progress.

Mr Vakalala knew what the people needed was clothing, as most of theirs would have been swept away in the storm, and toys to occupy children.

With help from the Salvation Army Family Store, he collected bags of items yesterday and hoped other "friends of Fiji" would give to support the cause.

Dunedin Fijian Eric Nabalagi tried to reach his family yesterday but could not get through.

He had been keeping up to date with the situation on the internet but could only hope his family was all right.

New Zealand is ready to help Fiji as soon as Cyclone Tomas passes and damage can be assessed.

Prime Minister John Key and Foreign Minister Murray McCully said help was on stand-by for the battered Pacific country.

"Obviously, we are going to wait for the storm to pass through for a damage assessment to be undertaken, and then at that point we will go on and look at what the options are for New Zealand," Mr Key said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Mfat) has advised New Zealanders in Fiji and the Solomon Islands to follow instructions issued by the local authorities, monitor local media reports and register their details at www.safetravel.govt.nz.

As flights in and out of Fiji had been suspended because of the cyclone, travellers with immediate plans to travel to Fiji should check with their airline or travel agent, an Mfat spokesperson said.

There were about 480 New Zealanders registered with the ministry as being in Fiji and about 60 registered as being in the Solomon Islands.

• If you would like to give items to Mr Vakalala's relief effort, telephone him on (03) 456-0424.