The Yasawa community celebrated a significant milestone with the opening of a new evacuation center in Yalobi Village on Wednesday. This development marks a notable improvement in disaster preparedness, moving away from the hazardous experiences of the past.
In 1972, during Hurricane Bebe, villagers had to take their elderly, women, and children to a cave for safety, a perilous journey that is now rendered unnecessary. The newly opened center signifies a critical advancement in ensuring the safety of the community during disasters.
The facility’s inauguration was led by Assistant Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Jovesa Vocea. The total investment for the project amounted to $62,139, which included a government contribution of $29,433 to retrofit the existing structure.
Mr. Vocea expressed gratitude towards the United Nations Development Programme’s Governance for Resilience Project (UNDP Gov4Res), which generously provided funding of $32,706 through the Risk-Informed Development initiative. He highlighted the partnership between the UNDP Gov4Res Project and the Fijian government, particularly the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management.
He also praised the community’s dedication, noting their $47,000 contribution to the construction of the facility. “Your hands have built a place of refuge and safety, where your families, friends, and neighbors can find shelter and protection in times of need,” he stated, emphasizing that the center serves as a lifeline for around 200 residents.
Village headman Nacanieli Vakalagilagi addressed the facility’s importance in safeguarding the community against natural disasters, given Yalobi Village’s vulnerability to such events. He noted their historical reliance on the cave for protection during disasters and welcomed the new center as a pivotal shift away from those traumatic experiences.
The evacuation center features a two-sided porch, a new kitchen, separate toilet and bathroom facilities, ramps for disability access, two 10,000-liter rainwater storage tanks, kitchen utensils, tables and chairs, as well as a solar electrification system.