Fiji Calls For Climate Action Amid Second Cyclone In 3 Weeks

The Fijian government is calling on the United Nations to take urgent action on the changing climate – as the country has been hit by its second cyclone in three weeks.

Fiji’s prime minister Frank Bainimarama, who was president of the UN’s climate change body COP23, retweeted a tweet written by Fiji’s ambassador to the United Nations Satyendra Prasad.

It said: “Fiji is counting mode to its 2nd cyclone in 2020 today. It and other ocean states look to the UN in its superyear for nature to finally shift the needle on warming oceans.”

Fiji ??is counting mode to its 2nd cyclone in 2020 today. It and other ocean states look to the UN ?in its superyear for nature to finally shift the needle on warming oceans #UN75 @COP26 @UNEP ???@nytimes? https://t.co/NJEIQH1VJX

— Satyendra Prasad (@sprasadfj) January 14, 2020

Cyclones

The country was battered by cyclone Sarai in recent weeks – leaving two people dead and more than 2,500 needing emergency shelter. The cyclone cut electricity and damaged trees and crops, as well as houses.

Now Fiji is facing cyclone Tino, which has caused widespread flooding, leaving two people (a father and daughter) missing – with more than 100 more needing shelter.

The Meteorological Service says floods caused by heavy rain and destructive force winds should be expected.