Fiji Tropical Cyclone Winston Snapshot 1st April 2016SAFETY & PROTECTION

KEY FIGURES

HUMANITARIAN NEEDSThe impact of Tropical Cyclone Winston further exacerbated pre-disaster inequalities, vulnerabilities and protection risks based on gender, age, physical ability, ethnicity, sexual orien-tation, and other factors. The prevailing protection needs and risks will be further compounded as communities struggle to meet basic needs including food, shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene.

Gender based violence (GBV) and violence, exploitation and abuse of children are heightened risks as community protec-tion mechanisms are disrupted and populations are displaced and under distress. Reduced availability of food and a decline in living conditions both increase affected populations’ expo-sure to sexual exploitation and abuse, and the risk of being forced to engage in negative coping mechanisms in order to survive. Potential for harassment, physical and sexual vio-lence in and around sites of temporary displacement, includ-ing in evacuation centres is of key concern, requiring urgent interventions to ensure the protection of the most vulner-able groups. In previous emergencies, including the 2013 Fiji floods, incidences of sexual violence against women and girls were reported in evacuation centres and increased incidences of domestic violence due to the additional stress, pressure and trauma during crisis.

Equal access to humanitarian assistance and targeted support for people with specific concerns is a priority. For all affected people, in particular the most vulnerable, psychosocial sup-port and access to accurate and timely information on assis-tance and protection programmes are critically important. Mainstreaming protection across all sectors is a priority. It is essential that the safety and protection of affected populations stil remaining in evacuation centres or those without shelter is ensured.

RESPONSE ACTIVITIES & GAPSTo ensure protection and support to vulnerable communities, women, girls, boys and men of different ages and abilities, in the humanitarian response, the Fijian Government, with support from the Pacific Humanitarian Team, activated the Safety and Protection Cluster, as well as the Child Protection Sub-Cluster and the Gender Based Violence Sub-Cluster.

The Cluster has developed a Code of Conduct applicable for all humanitarian actors. Partners are continuously conducting assessments and field monitoring using the common protection assessment form. Mapping of key issues and risks for people with disabilities and the LGBTI community is ongoing. Partners are conducting protection, GBV and child protection awareness raising activities in the affected areas. The Cluster is working with the Police to assist with joint trainings on protection, child protection and GBV issues. Cluster partners continue to provide psychosocial support across the affected areas. Ongoing pro-tection activities will be further expanded in order to cover all affected areas.

The Child Protection Sub-Cluster is supporting the Civil Registry to re-issue birth certificates lost during the cyclone. Psychosocial support to affected children is planned through the Just Play programme, Youth Officers and Administrators, as well as net-works from the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Support will target children in evacuation centres, those from informal settlements and staying with extended families. Further monitoring on child protection issues is needed to inform programming.

Mapping and assessment of existing GBV referral and reporting services is ongoing. The GBV Sub-Cluster is preparing stan-dard operating procedures (SOPs) for GBV referral and report-ing pathways. The Cluster is preparing key messages on GBV, as well as information, education and communication (IEC) materials. Partners are providing clinical care, case manage-ment and legal counselling to GBV survivors. Outreach of GBV prevention and response activities will to be expanded to all affected areas.

Credit: UNFPA Asia-Pacific

FUNDING STATUS38%funded2.1 million

US$ required

800,000 US$ received. (UN OCHA Finan-cial Tracking Services as of March 2016)

350,000 people affected by the disaster - equivalent to 40% of Fiji’s population. 170,000 women and girls (49%).120,000 children (including 36,000 under five and 7,600 under one years of age).3,100 persons living with disabilities.7,600 pregnant and lactating women.

Source: Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Statistics for Development Division, 14 March 2016

Photo Credit: UNICEF

12 Priority Affected Areas.

KEY MESSAGES Ensuring the safety and dignity of popula-tions living in and around evacuation cen-

tres, including those without shelter, is critical, and for those leaving evacuation centres.

Ensure that humanitarian assistance is available to all those in need, particularly targeting those who are most vulnerable

or who face exclusion. At risk groups, such as women, pregnant women, children, adoles-cents, older persons, persons with disabili-ties, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people (LGBTI) need to receive particular attention in relief and recovery effort.

Assistance must be provided without discrimi-nation, through efficient and well-planned

distribution systems that safeguard all people from violence, exploitation or abuse. Gender balance in distribution and monitoring teams and their sensitization on protection and GBV is key.

Clear communication with all members of affected communities is vital. This should

include accessible communication regarding re-lief and service needs, consultations on suitable design and location of services (e.g. distribution sites and shelter)

All cluster interventions must take protec-tion, equality and inclusion aspects into

consideration to ensure their programming is sensitive to the specific needs of key prior-ity groups and to strengthen accountability and effectiveness across the humanitarian response within the cluster system. There is a need for as-sessment of key protection and gender con-cerns as well as sex and age disaggregated data to assist in mapping needs and risks.

PROTECTION PRESENCE MAP

Safety and Protection Cluster Lead: Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Permanent Secretary, Dr. Josefa KoroivuetaCo-Coordinator: UN Women, Aleta Miller, aleta.miller@unwomen.org and UNICEF, Amanda Bissex, abissex@unicef.orgGBV Sub Cluster: led by Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Reijieli Biutiganena Mawa, raijeli.mawa@govnet.gov.fj, supported by UN Women, Abigail Dorothy Erikson, abigail.erikson@unwomen.orgChild Protection: led by National Coordinating Committee on Children and Department of Social Welfare, Ela Tukutukulevu, ela.tukutukulevu@govnet.gov.fj, supported by UNICEF, Amanda Bissex, abissex@unicef.org

Photo Credit: UNWOMEN

Total affected population reached: More than 16,515 people: • 7,740 women• 3,653 men• 3,479 girls• 1,643 boys Key protection activities: psychosocial sup-port, advocacy, assessments and monitoring, case management, child-friendly spaces, provision of birth certificates, training, dignity kits, post-rape treatment kits and other safety and security provisions.

More than 100,000 people reached through awareness raising messaging.