The upgraded risk-informed evacuation center was inaugurated for the residents of Yalobi in Waya, Yasawa, on Wednesday, providing shelter for over 200 individuals in case of future disasters.
Constructed by the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, in collaboration with the UN Development Programme’s Governance for Resilient Development in the Pacific project, the facility was developed at a cost exceeding FJ$60,000.
The center is designed to mitigate several risks faced by vulnerable groups in the Yalobi community, featuring ramps for accessibility to people with disabilities, an indoor kitchen, washrooms, and solar lighting.
These enhancements aim to ensure the safety and security of women, children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities during natural disasters.
Local residents reflected on their harrowing experience during Tropical Cyclone Bebe in 1972, when they had to climb for three hours to reach safety in a cave in the mountains. In more recent disasters, the absence of a proper evacuation facility forced villagers to seek refuge in their homes. The community expressed gratitude to the Government, donors, and UNDP for the timely support, highlighting that it would improve their safety and well-being.
Jovesa Vocea, the Assistant Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, stressed the importance of incorporating risk management into rural and maritime development to ensure long-term resilience.
He noted that the Yalobi Risk Informed Evacuation Centre symbolizes the Ministry’s commitment to risk-informed development initiatives. Vocea stated, “The Yalobi Evacuation Centre is a lifeline for the residents of this village, not merely a building,” and expressed satisfaction that the center would also function as a hub for community initiatives, empowering especially women and youth.
Furthermore, the center will host various socio-economic activities aimed at empowering the Yalobi community.
Nicola Glendining, Project Manager for the UNDP Pacific Gov4Res, affirmed UNDP’s commitment to partnering with the Ministry on enhancing the resilience of rural communities in Fiji and fulfilling the Ministry’s strategic goals.