Fiji Emergency Medical Assistance Team’s (FEMAT) Response to Tropical Cyclone Yasa, Fiji

Abstract

Background/Introduction:

Tropical Cyclone Yasa made landfall on Fiji’s main islands as a Category 5 cyclone on December 17, 2020 causing an immense impact on the health system with damages to health infrastructure amounting to 1.2 million USD.¹ FEMAT was activated to assess and assist with disaster response in the greatly impacted Northern and Eastern Divisions of Fiji.

Objectives:

To describe FEMAT’s response to Tropical Cyclone Yasa.

Method/Description:

FEMAT’s response to TC Yasa included community assessments, provision of medical supplies and temporary tents for health facilities, and coordinating the distribution of WASH kits. FEMAT’s Health Emergency Response Team (HERT) was mobilized and provided surveillance support and medical care in Evacuation Centers (EC) treating the injured and sick. Health inspectors were deployed with FEMAT to provide food safety surveillance and management of dead animals near and in water sources.

Results/Outcomes:

Four mobile FEMAT teams were deployed during the TC Yasa response for 17 days over the Christmas and New Year holidays. Teams were composed of physicians, nurses, and health inspectors, and were provided with vehicles stocked with medications, medical supplies, food, and tents. 354 different communities were visited by FEMAT HERT teams, including five islands, 170 villages, 167 settlements, four estates, and eight evacuation centers. 1,172 out-patient medical encounters were recorded. Over 110 sites were treated for potential vectors by spraying and disinfection.

Conclusion:

FEMAT operationalized a small, mobile medical teams approach to respond to Category 5 tropical cyclone that impacted Fiji in December of 2020.