The newly upgraded risk-informed evacuation center for the residents of Yalobi in Waya, Yasawa, was inaugurated on Wednesday, providing a refuge for over 200 individuals during potential future disasters.
This facility was developed through a collaboration between the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management and the UN Development Programme’s Governance for Resilient Development in the Pacific project, costing more than FJ$60,000.
The center is designed to mitigate various risks faced by vulnerable groups in Yalobi, featuring ramps for accessibility for individuals with disabilities, an indoor kitchen, washrooms, and solar lighting. These enhancements aim to ensure the safety and security of women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities in the event of a natural disaster.
During the opening, attendees shared memories of the harrowing experience during Tropical Cyclone Bebe in 1972, where they had to trek uphill for three hours to find refuge in a cave. In more recent disasters, villagers lacked a proper facility and sheltered in their homes. They expressed gratitude to the government, donors, and UNDP for this vital assistance, highlighting its role in improving their safety and well-being.
Jovesa Vocea, the Assistant Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, emphasized the importance of integrating risk-informed strategies in rural and maritime developments for long-term resilience. He referred to the Yalobi Risk Informed Evacuation Centre as a symbol of the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring that development initiatives are risk-informed.
“The Yalobi Evacuation Centre serves as a lifeline for the residents, beyond just being a structure,” Mr. Vocea remarked. He also noted that during peaceful times, the center would function as a hub for community initiatives aimed at empowering residents, particularly women and youth.
The center will additionally host various socio-economic activities focused on empowering the local community of Yalobi. Nicola Glendining, the UNDP Pacific Gov4Res Project Manager, expressed pride in collaborating with the Ministry to enhance rural community resilience in Fiji and implement strategic priorities.