Narata families begin relocation from ‘red zone’

Community-led climate relocation backed by global funding assisted Narata families in Nadroga move from high-risk “red zone” to safer ground.

Farmer Jiuta Nawaikula, 50, and his family are among those who will benefit from a new climate resilience plan.

Their current homes sit in a high-risk ‘red zone’ and will be moved through a US$100,000 (FJ$222,221) grant made possible by a partnership between the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and the Global Centre for Climate Mobility’s Community Climate Adaptation Facility (C-CAF).

“I am happy to be part of this project to move our household to higher ground,” Mr Nawaikula said last Friday during the ground-breaking ceremony to start construction.

“It marks the beginning of a safer future for us. It is timely because of climate change. The land here receives a lot of rain, which causes flooding. We need to stay on higher areas.”

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) supported Narata Village with its proposal, which was submitted last year.

GGGI conducted a diagnostic study that strengthened the proposal by outlining the risks and vulnerabilities faced by the community.

Minister for Information, Environment and Climate Change Lynda Tabuya acknowledged the Global Centre for Climate Mobility for creating a funding mechanism that allows communities directly affected by climate change to access support.

She said the next step would be to finalise relocation plans and move the families from the high-risk area to safer ground.

Stand in unity

“Let us stand together in unity and take action for the safety and future of our people,” she said.

Narata is the second of three communities in Fiji — alongside Macuata-i-Wai and Vuniniudrovu — to receive US$100,000 (FJ$222,221) each through the global initiative designed to support communities on the frontline of climate change.

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