It is one year today when our nation was ravaged by the strongest storm to ever reach our shores which took 44 lives.
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says we will be commemorating that dark day in our history today with a national service of remembrance and thanksgiving in Suva.
Bainimarama says it is a remembrance for those of our loved ones who died and thanksgiving that much of our nation including most of our tourism properties were spared and our economy on which we all depend survived the onslaught of Winston.
Tropical Cyclone Winston affected about 60% of the population and the cost of the damage was around $1.9 billion.
Bainimarama says there is still work to be done to reclaim everything we lost, to rebuild homes and schools, but it is people who must always come first.
Meanwhile, the government has clarified that it is not a national holiday and employees are asked to return to their workplaces after the service today.
The service at Albert Park will start at 11am today.
