People from all walks of life gathered at Albert Park in Suva today for the Multi‑Faith National Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving to Commemorate the 1st Anniversary of Tropical Cyclone Winston.
A minute of silence was observed for the 44 people who lost their lives in Cyclone Winston after a roll call of the 44 people and the Last Post.
Family members of the 44 people and students from a number of schools were also present at the national service.
People came as far as Koro, Vanuabalavu and Ra to attend the commemoration service.
A year ago today Cyclone Winston bore down on our islands with unprecedented fury and no Fijian who witnessed this impact will ever forget that experience.
It was the biggest storm ever to make landfall in the Southern hemisphere.
President, Jioji Konrote says it is hard to imagine being in the direct path of Winston at it’s height but those who were tell the most frightening experience of their lives.
60 percent of the population was directly affected by Cyclone Winston, about 40,000 homes were destroyed and hundreds of schools were damaged.
President Konrote says the 44 people who lost their lives during Cyclone Winston will never be forgotten.
The President says the nation stands next to the families of those who lost their lives in Cyclone Winston.
He also says that Fiji will continue press on to try and convince the industrialized nations to reduce carbon emissions.
President Konrote says Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama will lead the charge as he chairs the Conference of The Parties 23 meeting later this year.
The Prime Minister, ministers and FijiFirst parliamentarians were also present at the national service.
None of the opposition parliamentarians or party leaders attended the service at Albert Park.
Opposition Leader Ro Teimumu Kepa is not answering her phone while NFP Leader, Biman Prasad said that he had prior commitments and was attending a funeral.
Video: Department of Information
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