‘We will miss the land that raised us’

For Rokowati Vakacegu, 69, the thought of leaving the land where she was born and raised is heartbreaking.

“We’ll miss our land where we started our life,” she said.

Ms Vakacegu has spent her entire life in Vuniniudrovu Village in Naitasiri, a small community a few kilometres from Nausori Town. The land has long been home to generations of her family.

It is where they built their homes, raised their children and shared memories.

But the village she once knew is slowly disappearing.

Over the years, Vuniniudrovu Village has faced the growing impacts of climate change, including landslides and soil erosion.

When heavy rain falls for one or two days, the ground weakens and parts of the land collapse into the nearby Waimanu River.

Ms Vakacegu remembers a time when the village was peaceful and beautiful.

“Before, this place was very beautiful, but now everything has started to change.”

She recalled frightening moments when landslides washed homes into the river.

“Our village is getting smaller because the soil keeps washing away,” she said.

Because of the danger, villagers will soon move to safer ground under a government relocation project.

Minister for Information, Environment and Climate Change Lynda Tabuya said the village was one of three communities selected for relocation.

The communities have been placed in “Red Zone” areas considered extremely dangerous because of flooding and erosion.

“The relocation is about the safety and security of our people,” Ms Tabuya said.

About $100,000 in climate finance funding has been allocated to support the relocation and the construction of new homes for affected families on higher and safer ground.

Construction of the first house is expected to begin soon after a groundbreaking ceremony held earlier.

Village headman Avete Rokotarotaro said the relocation was necessary to protect villagers.

“Our people have strong ties to this land, but safety must come first. We are thankful that help is coming so our families can live in a safer place,” he said.