A new report and documentary were launched yesterday showing how climate change is forcing Fijian communities to relocate, causing damage to homes and the loss of culture, identity and traditional knowledge.
The report, titled "Climate Change and Human Mobility: Gender Dimensions and Non-Economic Loss (NELD)" comes from the Third Community Representatives Gathering held earlier this year by Climate Talk Fiji, bringing together the experiences of 26 women leaders from 11 provinces.
While officiating the launch at the Fiji Museum, Minister for Women, Sashi Kiran says the findings will help guide future policies, strengthen relocation work, and ensure that women’s voices shape national climate planning.
She says these women represent communities in Vanua Levu, Viti Levu, and the maritime islands, and villages that have already relocated are preparing to move or are working hard to adapt in place.
Kiran explained that the report also highlights non-economic loss and damage, including cultural practises, identity, traditional knowledge, and biodiversity that cannot be measured in monetary terms.
She says the findings show how important it is to protect indigenous knowledge and cultural expression, especially as relocation disrupts traditional systems and intergenerational learning.
The Minister says the report also reveals the discrimination faced by persons with disabilities and LGBTQI+ individuals during disasters and in evacuation centres.
She says women are often the first responders and primary caregivers during disasters, sacrificing their own well-being to keep families safe, yet they remain excluded from many decision-making spaces.
She adds that this gap must be addressed, and that the insights shared in the report provide a clear pathway for more inclusive, community-centred climate action.
