Fiji’s Appeal for Disaster Relief Funds.

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The Fijian Government has made an appeal for emergency funds to help its clean-up effort in the wake of massive flooding. At least 11 people have been killed and an estimated 9,000 people are now living in emergency accommodation. The military-backed interim government is estimating a damage bill of $30 million, although there are fears that could rise to more than $100 million.

Interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama has approached Australia and New Zealand about providing more assistance.

But his attorney-general, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, has criticised the two countries for not providing more already.

“Tonga has given us $100,000, New Zealand has given us $85,000. If you compare Tonga’s GDP and the population of New Zealand, it’s quite a stark difference,” he said.

“Australia has given $150,000, I understand. So Tonga has been very generous, comparatively.”

A spokeswoman for Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith says officials have been in discussions all week with Fiji about what help can be provided.

Both Australia and New Zealand have been involved in a diplomatic standoff with Fiji over its refusal to allow democratic elections, with New Zealand’s acting High Commissioner expelled just before Christmas.

4yo is latest Fiji flood victim

The death toll from Fiji’s floods has reached 11 after a four-year-old boy died when he fell into floodwaters from the balcony of his home

There are fears a rain depression forecast for Fiji this afternoon will bring more heavy rain and destruction.

Internet and phone lines remain cut, roads are impassable, and locals are wading through floodwaters to get to work.

A boat which was missing with 24 people on board has reached a port near the capital Suva, and the passengers and crew are unharmed.

The death toll from floods in Fiji has climbed to 11, with three local children among the dead.

In parts of the stricken country, shop owners are cleaning up and preparing for further flooding tonight.

There has been a lot of heavy rain in Nadi today and the weather bureau is forecasting more flooding around the city tomorrow.

The main street of the tourist hub looks like a disaster zone, after the Nadi River burst its banks, engulfing homes in floodwaters.

Brisbane resident Jane Bullock has been trying for days to leave Denarau Island, near Nadi.

“We understand that a chartered flight went back to Australia today but we had no notice of it whatsoever,” she said.

Ms Bullock says she will have to sit out tomorrow’s predicted storm with her partner and children, and fly out on Friday.

“We’re getting more and more anxious by the day; the hotel has given us updates on the weather but it’s given us no comfort because what we’re interested in is getting home and there’s been absolutely no interest in getting us home at all,” she said.

Ms Bullock says there has been little assistance from the Australian Government.

“We’ve been using friends to contact the Government back home,” she said.

“To date we’ve had no notice whatsoever and we understand that a chartered flight went back to Australia this morning but we had no notice of that whatsoever.”

Resort owners admit the weather is bad now, but they say tourists should return to Fiji to help the country’s economy.