Four water tanks, each with a capacity of 10,000 liters, were provided to the villagers of Vunaniu by a Canadian fund as part of the Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network Fiji initiative. The LMMA program director, Inoke Tuiwanunu, stated that this effort is part of the Vanua Sautu program, which also includes support for a greenhouse nursery, around 2,000 mangrove plants, and approximately 1,000 native trees.
Mr. Tuiwanunu mentioned that Vunaniu Village is the first to receive assistance post-COVID under this program. He explained that the donation aims to address the villagers’ water supply challenges during inclement weather. Currently, residents typically walk around 300 meters to the nearest creek for their washing needs. The newly installed tanks are designed to ensure that, even if a reservoir is compromised, the community can rely on a total of 40,000 liters to meet their needs.
Additionally, the organization plans to offer financial literacy training to empower the villagers economically, highlighting its focus not only on resource conservation but also on economic development.