Construction has officially commenced to relocate Narata village in Nadroga to a safer site, providing much-needed relief to residents who have endured years of flooding and erosion. Spearheaded by the Global Centre for Climate Mobility in collaboration with the government, this initiative aims to move homes away from a river that has repeatedly endangered the community’s land and livelihoods.
Minister for Climate Change Lynda Tabuya expressed enthusiasm for the project, noting that Narata is one of three communities slated to benefit from this climate resilience effort. She emphasized the importance of securing funding for such initiatives. “Very exciting times as we start to shorten the time for climate finance to reach our people,” she stated. The minister highlighted her international engagements, explaining their critical role in accessing climate finance necessary for execution of these projects.
For residents like Jiuta Navukula, this relocation signifies the long-awaited solution to a persistent threat. He recounted the distress of living so close to the encroaching erosion, stating, “As of last year, the erosion had reached close to our front door. It’s very difficult to sleep at night, especially when it rains. I am usually the one to alert the village to move to higher ground when the water level rises.”
The community’s success in securing help came after years of outreach and collaboration with multiple organizations. “We’ve had many organisations come here to survey the area, and we’ve spoken to several NGOs, but we feel truly blessed that we are now getting the help we need,” Navukula added.
The $220,000 project is part of a broader climate resilience initiative that has already seen implementation in Macuata-i-Wai, with Vuniniudrovu set to be the next community to benefit. This proactive approach not only represents a pivotal moment for the residents of Narata but also underscores the potential for similar communities to find solutions to climate-related challenges through collaborative efforts and innovative funding strategies.