Villagers of Bagasau in Cakaudrove Province will not need to worry about getting swept away by flood waters in future.

This was after an evacuation centre was commissioned in their village last week.

The commissioning of the $20,000 project was done by the Minister of Defence, National Security and Policing, Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Inia Seruiratu.

Bagasau Women’s Group leader Losalini Dakuitoga said their village located near a river was easily inundated with flooded waters during heavy rain.

“Whenever there is a flood, water enter their houses and villagers had to evacuate to higher ground,” Ms Dakuitoga said.

“We were in desperate need of an evacuation centre to keep our elderly, pregnant women and children safe.”

She said the partnership programme between the Government and the villagers made it possible towards the construction of the evacuation centre.

Mr Seruiratu said as minister responsible for rural development and disaster management he was indeed happy to see this project completed.

“It was funded under the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management’s Self-Help programme at a cost of $20,000,” Mr Seruiratu said.

“We provided the funds and the community gave the rest of the materials and labour force as well.”

He said the partnership was encouraging.

“We are thankful that through this project, the elderly and the vulnerable will be protected and will have a secure roof over them,” he said.

He encouraged villagers to invest in disaster risk reduction because it would augur well for them in the long term.

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