Safety and security at evacuation centres is the responsibility of community elders and stakeholders – Seruiratu

Minister for Disaster Management and National Security, Inia Seruiratu says the safety and security of evacuees at evacuation centres is the responsibility of community elders and many stakeholders.

This is after concerns were raised following a case where a 10-year-old girl was raped in an evacuation centre in the Northern Division.

Seruiratu says community elders are given the responsibility to look after their own members which always has been a common practice.

He says there is a protection cluster as well that conducts awareness, training and counselling for evacuees when they visit evacuation centres. This protection cluster is made up of various government and non-government agencies like UN Women, UNICEF, and Save the Children Fiji.

He adds police officers and military personnel also monitor evacuation centres, but it depends on the location as some communities do not have police posts and army barracks.

Seruiratu says the responsibility lies with community elders to ensure the safety and security of their members.