​On February 20, 2016, Tropical Cyclone Winston struck Fiji. Winston has been the worst cyclone to have ever have hit this small Pacific nation. A total of 43 people have died and at least 54,000 people are still living in emergency shelters. There is a desperate need for humanitarian assistance for up to 120,000 people with an additional 350,000 people deeply affected and still recovering from the trauma and damage caused by Winston. 

Through the support of MASHAV, Israel's Agency for International Development Cooperation at the Israeli Ministry for Foreign Affairs, a team of specialists fromIsraAID alongside members of the Israeli Embassy based in Canberra are working with the NGO Island Breeze Australia to assist in the recovery process. The team is working on the island of Ovalau in the remote village of Vuma which has been almost completely wiped out by the impact of the cyclone. The aim of the team is to implement a holistic rehabilitation of the village through engaging with the community to provide a range of aid and specialist services. Such an approach draws on the skills of the Israeli specialists working with the community to implement projects aimed at not only rebuilding homes and shelters but also at providing crucial services such as water treatment, sanitation needs and psychosocial support. 

Meeting with government officials, community representatives, and local leaders, the team has begun the initial phase of the mission, which is conducting a needs based assessment in order to coordinate how best to deliver immediate first aid to the affected peoples. The team will then focus on delivering mental health and psycho-social support to those affected by drawing on Israeli specialists. The final phase of the mission involves delivering and rehabilitating vital water, sanitation and hygiene services. 

One of the goals of the project is to develop specialist knowledge and skills within the community that will aid the ongoing recovery process. The unique holistic approach of the mission involves a rare combination of Israeli technical expertise, diplomatic initiative and volunteer support to focus on individual and community outreach. By developing a range of long-term and sustainable programs the team aims to formulate a template for replicating the successes of Vuma in other villages and affected areas of Fiji.