A team supported by the UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji has successfully established Crime Prevention Maritime Security Committees across nine tikinas in Kadavu. This effort stems from the Community Policing-Vanua-Multi-agencies Crime Prevention and Maritime Security model introduced by Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka during the Kadavu Provincial Council meeting in July.
The initiative, titled “Solesolevaki ni Veitaqomaki; Matanitu, Vanua kei na Lotu,” aims to empower coastal communities by integrating traditional customary authority and vanua governance into crime prevention and maritime security efforts. This comprehensive approach involves collaboration with various stakeholders, including the Republic of Fiji Navy, Fiji Police Force, Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji, Fiji Revenue and Customs Service, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Fisheries, Ministry of Home Affairs, the Kadavu Provincial Council, licensed boat operators, and local community members. This partnership enables community members to play a crucial role in monitoring Fiji’s maritime areas.
Kadavu has been chosen as the pilot location for the solesolevaki initiative.