23 Jun 2016

UN says produce shortages after Cyclone Winston leading to malnutrition

2:03 pm on 23 June 2016

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation says some cases of malnutrition are being seen in Fiji more than four months after Cyclone Winston.

A Nawaisomo woman cooking. Food is the biggest problem now according to the village chief.

A Nawaisomo woman cooking. Food is the biggest problem now according to the village chief. Photo: RNZI/Sally Round

The UN has given seeds and supplies to about 1000 market vendors in Ba, Lautoka, Rakiraki and Tavua to help them replant crops and boost supplies of produce.

UN FAO Emergency Response Officer Phillipe Martins said that was necessary because a shortage of vegetables was leading to poor nutrition in affected areas.

"There are some cases of malnutrition that you can see in some villages. I mean obviously we are not talking about numerous cases and we are not talking about high crisis but there are some cases of malnutrition and in a tropical country like Fiji you shouldn't have malnutrition."

Phillipe Martins said up to 200 thousand people lived in areas affected by the cyclone that could be experiencing shortages of healthy food.

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