More than 50,000 people are reportedly affected by drought in the north and west of Fiji, as the El Niño tightens its grip on the Pacific region.
Relief supplies with water trucks and tanks are said to be on standby, according to Fiji’s National Disaster Management Office.
The drought is causing great strain on the people’s livelihood; many of whom are vegetable farmers and rely on the sale of their produce for income.
The ABC reports that Director of Fiji’s National Disaster Management Office, Akapusi Tuifagalele, has said that divisional commanders are on the ground in drought affected areas.
Tuifagalele added that this was to ensure that local communities could ably deal with the impact of the worst El Niño in years.
Some of Fiji’s small offshore islands are also reportedly affected by drought and will also be receiving water tanks from the country’s disaster management office.
