Many residents of Vunivutu are still awaiting assistance following past cyclones, according to former headwoman Ranadiniceva Raluna. She expressed concerns that the villagers have been neglected despite the government’s promises of aid.
Raluna stated, “Details were recorded, and the expectation was that relief would soon follow. We were assured that our needs would be met.” She noted that it has been four years since a cyclone affected the village, with many still waiting for the promised relief items.
“We were given hope and assurance, but now that hope seems to be fading,” she added. Raluna’s comments came after a facilitator at a United Nations Women workshop raised issues regarding communities dealing with the aftermath of natural disasters.
“There has been no clear explanation for the delay,” she remarked. Raluna called for a more transparent and accountable system for the distribution of relief resources, expressing that villagers are left wondering why their needs have not been addressed.
Efforts to reach Commissioner Northern Uraia Rainima for a comment were unsuccessful by the time this report was published.