The air was thick with anticipation during the welcome ceremony in Vunisavisavi, a coastal village on Fiji’s Vanua Levu, where headwoman Mareana Sorowaqa spoke passionately into a portable speaker. She reminded the audience of a longstanding promise: the commitment of her people never to abandon their ancestral land. This vow originated from the paramount chief of Cakaudrove, whose ancestors once inhabited this place before relocating to Taveuni over 200 years ago.
Mareana’s voice trembled with emotion as she highlighted the community’s losses: concrete slabs where homes once stood, ruined gardens overtaken by saltwater, and a shoreline that retreats further each year. The devastating impact of Cyclone Winston in 2016, the most powerful cyclone to hit Fiji, had submerged the village. Many families, including children, the elderly, and those in poor health, sought refuge in the hills, enduring weeks of survival on government aid after their crops were destroyed.
Despite the hardships, Mareana reflected on the resilience of those who remain in Vunisavisavi. “Some families who married into the village left after Winston. So did some of our youth,” she recalled. “But those of us who stay are bound to this land; it is part of our identity.” For many in the village, climate change became tangible when they witnessed their ancestral grounds eroding away.
This year, Vunisavisavi served as a poignant backdrop for the inaugural Pacific Research Symposium on Loss and Damage. Delegates, including researchers and officials from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), toured the damaged coastline to witness the stark contrast between statistical reports and the lived experiences of local communities.
The IOM emphasized the pressing need to support Pacific communities facing environmental challenges that are altering their living conditions. Their efforts encompass working with local governments to devise planned relocation strategies, enhance disaster preparedness, and facilitate mobility—whether temporary or permanent—while maintaining dignity and cultural respect.
During their visit, the symposium’s participants partook in a community project, planting mangroves as part of a nature-based protection initiative. This effort signals a collective understanding that seawalls alone cannot combat the encroaching tides.
As the visitors departed, Mareana’s commitment reverberated in their minds—a powerful reminder of what is at stake: a lineage deeply tied to traditions, identity, and land now threatened by unprecedented change. The IOM recognizes that supporting communities like Vunisavisavi is essential not just for managing immediate climate impacts but also for amplifying the voices of Pacific Islanders who are calling for urgent global action. This advocacy is vital to ensure future generations have the opportunity to maintain their heritage without having to compromise their safety.
Leave a comment