In 2016, ChildFund Australia partnered with Habitat for Humanity to help children and families recover from the worst impacts of Cyclone Winston.
In 2016, Tropical Cyclone Winston made landfall in Fiji, causing massive devastation to local communities. The strongest tropical cyclone to hit the country and the South Pacific Basin in recorded history, it flattened entire villages in its wake – leaving more than 120,000 people without shelter, safe water sources and power.
Our response was split in two phases: helping families in the immediate aftermath of the disaster, and implementing long-term solutions to help families better prepare for disasters in the future.
Overnight, entire villages were reduced to rubble. Many families were homeless, with no idea where they would sleep. We provided 7,000 emergency shelter kits to repair damaged homes and give families much-needed security.
Many families did not have access to clean water because the storm damaged their water supplies. We provided household water filtration kits and gave families emergency-related hygiene advice, which minimised the spread of disease.
Children are the most vulnerable in emergencies, physically and psychologically. Our 24-month response plan included vital measures to strengthen safeguards for children in Fiji, which will help them if a disaster strikes again.
ChildFund Australia recognises the significance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land; and recognise their continuing connection to the land, water and community. We pay our respect to them and their cultures; and to Elders past and present.
© ChildFund Australia 2025