The residents of Yavusania village in Nadi are breathing sighs of relief after the successful completion of a $150,000 riverbank wall, established to protect their homes from recurring flooding and soil erosion. This significant project was a collaborative initiative between the UNDP Small Grants Programme and the Women’s Fund Fiji, and it was led by the Soqosoqo Vakamarama iTaukei ni Yasana ko Ba.
For years, villagers have faced anxiety during heavy rainfall, as the nearby river posed a constant threat of inundating their residences. Over the past years, four homes have been lost to soil erosion, forcing families to relocate and live amidst uncertainty. Adi Sivia Qoro, the President of Soqosoqo Vakamarama iTaukei ni Yasana ko Ba, reflected on the psychological strain this has inflicted on families, stating, “It affects their health, it affects the education of their children, it affects their safety. Your house is where you belong, and for their houses just to be washed away like that, that’s really traumatic.”
The new riverbank wall represents a beacon of security for the community, as echoed by village representative Epeli Turuva when he remarked, “We are grateful that our pleas have been heard, and today we finally see a solution that will keep our families and homes safe.” This investment not only aims at safeguarding the villagers’ properties but also aspires to restore their dignity and hope.
Villagers have shown their gratitude through a traditional ceremony, emphasizing the riverbank wall as a lasting emblem of safety and resilience for future generations. The donors have expressed their commitment to fostering robust community resilience and promoting sustainable development within the village.
Such projects across Fiji showcase a nationwide movement toward bolstering defenses against climate change. Similar initiatives have been undertaken in villages like Naimalavau, where residents are also gaining support for seawall construction, reinforcing a community spirit focused on overcoming environmental challenges.
The concerted efforts in Yavusania reflect a hopeful future, as communities leverage partnerships to strengthen their defenses, aiming for a safer and more resilient living environment for generations to come.