Civil society organizations are expressing concern over their exclusion from a significant new regional disaster and climate fund, urging the Fijian government to take action. The Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS) and the Pacific Islands Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (PIANGO) conveyed their message during a presentation to Parliament’s Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence.
These organizations are advocating for Fiji to ratify the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF), a newly established fund by Pacific Island nations aimed at enhancing community preparedness and recovery from disasters and the impacts of climate change. They emphasize the importance of civil society participation within this initiative.
Currently, the structure of the PRF limits community organizations and NGOs from having a direct role, as only government representatives can be nominated to its advisory board and partner dialogue forum. PIANGO Executive Director Emeline Siale pointed out the significant barrier this poses, stating, “We will not be able to put forward any recommendation for participation of civil society until the government puts forward a nomination to those two mechanisms.”
FCOSS Executive Director Vani Catanasiga highlighted the critical work that NGOs are already performing within communities, especially in areas related to disaster response and climate relocation, asserting that civil society must have a voice in the design and allocation of the fund. “Civil society organizations bring local knowledge, trusted relationships, and the ability to reach communities that are often least served by large-scale financing mechanisms,” she noted.
Siale acknowledged Fiji’s unique position within the region for allowing public submissions on the PRF agreement, contrasting it with other Pacific nations that have signed on without any public engagement.
Both organizations agree that if implemented effectively, the PRF could deliver direct benefits to ordinary Fijians, particularly the most vulnerable, by facilitating faster and more efficient access to disaster funding at the community level. This call to action emphasizes the need for collaborative efforts between the government and civil society to ensure that the PRF serves the communities it is intended to assist.
Leave a comment