Poiongo Lisati, who raised the issue during the Fijian Media Association’s Pre-COP31 Climate Change Town Hall at Nukubalavu Village in Savusavu, says coastal erosion is affecting food security.
INSERT: Lisati on coastal erosion affecting livelihoods 23rd Sept
She also asked about climate finance to assist with the effects of El Nino, saying it has already started and communities on the island have felt its effects.
Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Mosese Bulitavu says the Ministry of Waterways is the relevant authority for assistance relating to saltwater intrusion and coastal sea erosion.
Bulitavu says the government is also availing itself to address the issues and will pass them to the right relevant authority.
On El Nino, he says the government has started with the island of Batiki in the Lomaiviti Group, where water carting has been carried out.
He says surveys are also being conducted to get assistance in terms of ensuring constant water supply over the next five months, as well as developing long-term plans to address future occurrences of the same natural event.
Bulitavu says similar measures are being looked at for Taveuni, including the possibility of shipping water to the relevant islands.
He says the government is also looking at the effects of water contamination and is working closely with the Ministry of Health and health inspectors to test the water.
Fiji TV Manager News Stella Taoi then questioned Bulitavu on the impact of El Nino on Cakaudrove, saying the province has a direct drought history.
Taoi says warnings have been given that developing El Nino conditions could push up food, freight and essential goods prices and asked what the government's plan is in terms of water carting, drying of crops and whether there is a contingency plan that reaches Cakaudrove.
Bulitavu says the systems are already in place and the relevant authorities have been meeting over the last few months, and that contingency plans and packages will be available if the situation escalates to another level.
On water supply, he says the government has done its best through programmes being run in conjunction with the Water Authority of Fiji, including the installation of pipes and water tanks, identifying available water sources and water reticulation.
He says other methods are also available to help communities facing water problems, and if there are communities still experiencing water problems, the information will be available through district offices and provincial administrators.
fijivillage News Director and FMA Executive Vijay Narayan then questioned Bulitavu on whether the Government has the capacity and funding in the current budget to respond if El Nino results in severe drought, including an agricultural drought which could cause serious issues.
Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica says budgetary allocations are in place and the Ministry of Disaster Management, together with WAF and other relevant government agencies, will respond as appropriate.
Bulitavu says there is also funding available with NDRMO and that other funds are also available through the Prime Minister's Office in terms of disaster reduction.
He says these funds are in place under the current budget and can be pushed out if assessments show that they need to invoke them.
