In March, 2012 Fiji experienced its worst flooding ever in decades that left thousands homeless and killed 11 people. Authorities warned that tens of thousands of people are at risk of respiratory illnesses and dengue fever.

Hundreds of homes and businesses in towns and villages on the western part of Viti Levu were inundated in waist-deep water from overflowing rivers and streams. Clean drinking water was, and stagnant water increased the risk of exposure to mosquito-borne diseases like dengue fever. 

More than 14,000 people were in evacuation centers — many without food, clean water, clothes or other possessions after a week of torrential storms triggered the worst flooding in 40 years.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Ratu Isoa Gavidi said there is "a desperate need" for clean drinking water, water tanks and water purification tablets, as well as clothing, blankets, bedding and tents as majority are left homeless and desperately needing home repairs and some needing a total transformation of their homes.

With the generous support of the New Zealand Aid Programme, HFHF launched a programme that responded to the following two areas of need:

1. Shelter: 42 families were provided with cyclone-safe homes. They were either relocated to flood-safe locations or homes were raised on stilts above the flood high-water mark for those that could not be relocated.

2. Community WASH Training and Disaster Preparedness Awareness: All flood families and communities under this project received WASH and DAR training through HFHF's Public Health programme.

3. Water, Hygiene and Sanitation: 28 rural communties received repairs to their water systems. This included the relocation of existing sources and location of new sources some of which were up to 7 kilometres from the villages that used the water.