April 7, 2016 - Update:Tropical Cyclone Zena
All ISEP Students are accounted for and safe. There was no damage done to our member institution, University of the South Pacific located in Fiji. Normal operations have resumed on all campuses at the university.
April 5, 2016 - Tropical Cyclone Zena
On April 5, 2016 the U.S. Embassy in Suva, Fiji issued a notice about a tropical cyclone forecast for Fiji. The cyclone is projected to hit Wednesday and Thursday. The warning is as follows:
The U.S. Embassy in Suva, Fiji, informs U.S. citizens residing in or visiting our consular district (Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Tuvalu, French Polynesia, and Wallis & Futuna) of a tropical cyclone forecast for Fiji. Regional meteorological services predict there is a high risk that effects from Category 2 Tropical Cyclone Zena will directly impact Fiji Wednesday and Thursday. Rainfall accumulation, strong winds, and increased flooding are expected. A flood warning remains in force for low-lying areas in the Western Division, including Nadi.
In preparation for this storm, all students at the University of the South Pacific have been notified and are in touch with ISEP staff who are ready to implement all necessary safety protocols.
To prepare for the impending storm, we urge all students to:
- Respond immediately to any calls or “check-in” emails from ISEP, as it is an essential part of our emergency and safety protocols to make sure you are safe and accounted for.
- Contact your parents or emergency contact to let them know you are safe and about your planned whereabouts during the storm to prevent extra worry.
- Sign up for storm alerts to stay abreast and vigilant as the situation unfolds. Please look to your host institution, embassy, local law enforcement and media for additional updates.
- Carry a fully charged cell phone with you at all times, in the case of an emergency or a power outage.
- Contact your host ISEP Coordinator if you have any problems or follow-up questions.
Additionally, the university requests students to note the following:
- On-campus students are requested to stay indoors and not to risk themselves and others by stepping outside their residence during the cyclone. Should there be a need for evacuation, the P&F staff will be in touch with you.
- Off campus students are requested to take care of themselves and their families and not risk coming to campus during this period of closure.
- Faculty Deans, Heads of Schools and Heads of Departments/Sections are requested to ensure that all items within their schools and sections are secure and safe from damage. It was noted that during TC Winston, items were left outside and contributed to the flying debris.
- The USP DISMAC team shall maintain communication with staff, students and essential services during the closure.
- Properties and Facilities will ensure security of all properties and persons on the campuses and provision of water and running of generators as required.
ITS will ensure that the USP email systems works so that you all are able to read messages and communicate as needed.
Further regular communications shall be issued by the USP DISMAC Team through DMCA.
After the storm, if communication means are functioning, please immediately confirm your safety with your parents or emergency contacts, host ISEP Coordinator and assigned ISEP Program Officer. We understand there may be power outages. Students can let us know about their safety in the following ways:
- E-mail: aciero@isep.org
- Phone: 703-504-9994
- Social Media: Check-in on Facebook on our closed Facebook Group with the words “safe”
Throughout the storm, we will be closely monitoring the situation and will be in touch with both you and your home ISEP Coordinator to relay back any information regarding your safety.
We will also provide any new updates on the storm and actions required. We recommend following our website and #ISEPAlerts on the @ISEPStudyAbroad Twitter feed for real-time updates.