There is a significant lack of awareness in communities regarding whom to approach for assistance during a disaster. This concern was highlighted by Seinimere Veitata, the Fiji National Program Coordinator for the Women’s Resilience to Disaster Program with UN Women, at a workshop in Labasa.
Veitata emphasized the need for stakeholders to offer available support through civil society organizations. She pointed out the critical importance of collaboration among all stakeholders to address these challenges effectively. “They can also provide pathways for communities to access the assistance they require,” she noted.
When addressing the difficulties some officials encounter due to language barriers, she remarked that there are established channels that stakeholders should adhere to when engaging with communities. “There is a development link within the community, which not only assists in disseminating information but also in translating it,” she explained.
Nonetheless, she underscored that collective efforts are essential to tackle the issues faced by communities both during and after disasters.