Minister assures Wailevu villages of evacuation centre support

Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Mosese Bulitavu has assured villagers in Wailevu District, Cakaudrove, that the Government will look into providing cyclone-resilient evacuation centres for their communities.

Mr Bulitavu said his ministry would refer the matter to its technical team after being approached by this newspaper about the challenges faced by two coastal villages.

“We will refer it to our team,” he said.

He said he understood the fear and hardship rural communities endured during natural disasters such as cyclones.

The affected villages are Nakasa and Nacodreudreu, where families are forced to seek refuge in the mountains and roadside bus shelters during severe weather.

The situation has been worsened by the absence of cyclone-resilient evacuation centres in both villages. Located close to the coastline, the communities have endured years of strong winds and cyclones and continue to live in fear each cyclone season.

Turaga ni Yavusa Vadrani, Semesa Tubese, said Nakasa Village lacked an effective evacuation centre.

Mr Tubese said that during tropical cyclones and severe weather disturbances, villagers were forced to flee inland to the main road, far from the coast, to escape destructive winds.

He said strong winds could easily destroy partially built and furnished homes, and only a cyclone-resilient evacuation centre could withstand such conditions.

“We need this assistance as quickly as possible because our lives are at stake,” Mr Tubese said.

He also invited Mr Bulitavu to visit the village for a talanoa session to help Government officials better understand the challenges faced by the community.

“Consultation is vital to building a healthy relationship with Government,” he added.