In a notable enhancement for the Yasawa community, a new evacuation center was inaugurated in Yalobi Village on Wednesday, signaling a significant upgrade from past practices. Previously, during Hurricane Bebe in 1972, villagers faced the harrowing task of transporting their elderly, women, and children to a cave for shelter. The newly established center eliminates the need for such dangerous journeys, marking a crucial step forward in disaster preparedness for the area.
The unveiling of the facility was overseen by Jovesa Vocea, the Assistant Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management. The overall investment in the project amounted to $62,139, which included a government contribution of $29,433 to modify the existing structure. Vocea also expressed gratitude to the United Nations Development Programme’s Governance for Resilience Project (UNDP Gov4Res), which contributed $32,706 under the Risk-Informed Development initiative.
“This project highlights the collaborative efforts between the UNDP Gov4Res Project and our government, particularly the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management,” he stated.
Vocea commended the villagers for their dedication, noting their contribution of $47,000 to build the original facility, which provides a safe haven for families, friends, and neighbors in times of need. “This center serves as a lifeline for approximately 200 residents of the village, and it stands as a beacon of hope, safety, and security.”
Nacanieli Vakalagilagi, the village headman, emphasized the facility’s importance in safeguarding residents from the impacts of natural disasters, citing Yalobi Village’s vulnerability to such events. “We are at risk of cyclones, flooding, or other severe weather conditions. The center will offer refuge for the elderly, the disabled, and the community. Our past experiences of seeking shelter in a cave during Hurricane Bebe, which is about two kilometers from here, will now be a thing of the past as we celebrate this significant achievement.”
The evacuation center features a two-sided porch, a new kitchen, separate restroom facilities, ramps for disability access, two 10,000-liter rainwater storage tanks, kitchen utensils, tables and chairs, and a new solar electrification system.