The villagers of Makogai are so grateful to have the live aboard dive vessel “The Nai’a” as part of our Sea Mercy fleet. The Nai’a has been the first outside help to reach the island. The Nai’a arrived midday today to find pretty much all the houses were destroyed and 37 adults and 37 children (10 of which are babies) have been with limited shelter, water and food since Saturday night. I can only imagine the relief that they must have felt when those people realized that help was actually coming for them and they had not been forgotten.
All the village’s concrete water tanks were cracked and broken so water has been in desperate demand. Today the Nai’a crew found an unbroken plastic water tank that Winston had relocated to some bushes, and all the Nai’a guests, (yes they have guests on board who are pitching in!) crew and all the villagers became a bucket brigade to fill this tank from water transported off the Nai’a by skiffs. We are only in satellite phone communication so photos will follow once first boat returns.
Another vessel “Shine” departed Denarau at 6am this morning equipped with food and building supplies and a nurse and x4 Shelterboxes (check out these amazing disaster kits which are in Fiji in conjunction with International Rotary www.shelterbox.org)
Hopefully our other vessel “Skabanger” will arrive midday tomorrow. We also have “Outsider” ready to depart early morning with more supplies to where needed.
Concurrently, Sea Mercy is also teaming with Rotary and Red Cross to service two remote villages in the Ra District tomorrow. Again these villages have had no outside assistance since Saturday night and are only accessible by boat.
Sea Mercy are also wanting to supply a vessel to the Lau Group and Tavenui early next week, so we are still seeking further donations in kind or cash.
Vinaka vaka levu once again for all those who have not only supported Sea Mercy but all the other worthy causes making a difference and helping rebuild our beautiful country.
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