Residents of Naduri Village in Macuata will no longer need to travel outside their community to seek shelter during cyclones and other emergencies following the completion of a more than $100,000 evacuation centre upgrade.
The retrofit project, completed under the Government's Evacuation Centre Programme, has provided close to 300 residents from more than 60 households with a safer and more accessible evacuation facility within the village.
Village Headman Ilisoni Dakunaivei says the project has addressed a long-standing challenge faced by the community.
Dakunaivei says in the past, villagers had to walk 15 to 20 minutes to the nearest primary school to seek shelter during cyclones.
He says they now have their own upgraded evacuation centre within the village, ensuring people can reach safety much more quickly.
The upgraded centre will provide critical protection for women, men, children, the elderly and persons living with disabilities, while also serving as a hub for disaster preparedness and community response.
The newly retrofitted evacuation centre was officially handed over by Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Mosese Bulitavu during a visit to Naduri Village, where he was welcomed by the Tui Macuata and former President of Fiji, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere.
Bulitavu says the project reflects the Government's commitment to strengthening disaster resilience in rural and maritime communities and ensuring that no community is left behind.
He says with climate-related disasters becoming more frequent, the upgraded evacuation centre will provide Naduri residents with greater security, faster access to shelter during emergencies, and stronger community preparedness for generations to come.
