There is a significant lack of awareness in communities regarding whom to contact for assistance during a disaster, as highlighted by Seinimere Veitata, the Fiji National Program Coordinator for the Women’s Resilience to Disaster Program with United Nations Women. This concern was discussed during a recent workshop in Labasa.
Veitata emphasized the crucial role that stakeholders play in providing support within civil society organizations. She expressed the urgent need for collaboration among all stakeholders to tackle this issue effectively. “They can also provide pathways to communities to get the assistance they need,” she noted.
Addressing the challenges officials encounter due to language barriers, she mentioned the existence of established channels that stakeholders must adhere to when engaging with communities. “There is a development link in the community; they not only help with the dissemination of information but also in its translation,” she explained.
Regardless of the challenges, Veitata stressed the importance of collective efforts to resolve issues that communities face during and after disasters.