A new evacuation center opened in Yalobi Village on Wednesday, marking a significant breakthrough for the Yasawa community regarding disaster preparedness. This facility replaces the dangerous practice of transporting vulnerable villagers—such as the elderly, women, and children—to a cave for safety during emergencies like Hurricane Bebe in 1972.
The center’s inauguration was officiated by Jovesa Vocea, Assistant Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management. The project received a total financial investment of $62,139, which includes a government contribution of $29,433 for retrofitting the existing structure. Vocea acknowledged the support from the United Nations Development Programme’s Governance for Resilience Project (UNDP Gov4Res), which provided $32,706 through the Risk-Informed Development initiative.
He praised the community’s involvement, highlighting their commendable contribution of $47,000 to create the original facility, reinforcing the idea that the center serves as a refuge for around 200 residents and future generations.
Village headman Nacanieli Vakalagilagi noted that the center would safeguard the community against natural disasters, pointing out Yalobi Village’s vulnerability to environmental threats like cyclones and flooding. He reflected on the past experiences of villagers seeking safety in the cave during hurricanes, a memory now seen as a lesson learned as they celebrate their new facility.
The evacuation center features a two-sided porch, a new kitchen, separate toilet and bathroom facilities, disability access ramps, two 10,000-liter rainwater storage tanks, kitchen utensils, chairs, tables, and a new solar electrification system.