Church Partners Work Towards Improving Evacuation Centers

The Adventist Development Relief Agency (ADRA) Fiji is working closely with the churches to build communities in Fiji that are inclusive, safe and ready to provide dignity and protection for all in times of disaster.

This preparedness is achieved through its Church Agencies Network Disaster Operations Safe & Redi project funded under the Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP) through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

The project is aimed to leverage the expertise and achievements of CAN DO local partners in Fiji to address the disaster ready needs of the communities and respond to and align to the Fiji government priorities.

Through this project, ADRA Fiji’s Geographic Information System (GIS) team have been working closely with the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) and Provincial offices, church partners and local communities to carryout mapping of evacuation centers at disaster prone areas.

The team have just returned from Kadavu where they were able to map out 130 properties for potential Evacuation Centers in the 76 communities on the island inclusive of community halls, churches and school buildings.

“Our data is important for the NDMO to make informed and timely decisions on the evacuation centers that may need to be activated during disasters.

Project also focuses on improving infrastructure (evacuation center) to be able to withstand disasters whilst promoting accessibility friendly Evacuation Center to the elderly and persons with disabilities,” CAN DO Project Manager Daniel Taufaga said.

54-year-old Koroi Qoroya of Galoa village in Tavuki, who is confined to a wheelchair, has greatly welcomed the work currently undertaken to upgrade the facilities throughout.

“I am glad that they are now considering people like us – the disabled, to improve the facilities to become user friendly,” Mr Koroi said.

“I had difficulty moving for cover in the last cyclone and finding a safer place to take shelter. Based on my understanding, the plans that you have to improve the standard of the facilities will be of great help for us. I am thankful that our needs are also considered and I am looking forward to see the outcome.”

Mr. Taufaga said that similar mapping will be carried out in other parts of the country, based on NDMO priority areas.

Meanwhile, the Safe ‘n Redi project is inclusive of disaster risk and management in Fiji, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands under the Australian Humanitarian

Partnership.

Feedback: fonua.talei@fijisun.com.fj