Villages On Kia Prepare For Cyclone Without Evacuation Centres
Villages on the island of Kia in Vanua Levu remain in a state of dilemma.
With three severe tropical cyclones predicted to affect Fiji, villagers of Daku and Yaro have no place to take shelter. Both designated evacuation centres were destroyed during tropical cyclone Yasa that ravaged homes and villages across the North in December last year.
A year on, villagers continue to pick up the pieces. In Daku, villagers are preparing as best they can with the limited resources they have.
The village remains the least developed of the three villages including Yaro and Ligau. Daku does not have a community hall or evacuation centre.
Village development leader Joana Finau said they continue to fear for their lives if a cyclone like Yasa crosses their path again.
Ms Finau said they’ve identified a location for their evacuation centre and have already attained the plan for the site at a cost of $800.
She said all villagers have made efforts to raise funds by organising multiple fundraising events in their village.
“As part of our fundraising, we were able to contribute and purchase some timber posts and roofing iron just to get the project started,” she said.
Ms Finau’s experience during the height of TC Yasa is similar to others on the island.
“We were rushed to the second village in Ligau, but by the time we reached the village, the only community hall available was crowded with villagers and we did not have space to move in,” she said.
She said they had to then resort to staying in a classroom block at Kia District School despite the lack of proper amenities.
“No light, no washroom area and a limited kitchen space made life difficult during the short stay and this is something we do not want to face again,” she reiterated.
Ms Finau said they have already written a letter to the Macuata Provincial Administrator’s office for support in their project and they are currently awaiting a response from them.
“We understand the high cost associated with the evacuation construction however, we are willing to put in the hard yards to get the center developed,” she added.
Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources, Jone Usamate was also informed of the need for an evacuation centre
