For the small community of Vio Island, the ocean has always played a dual role, serving as both a vital resource and a potential hazard. The families on this island depend on the sea for transport, food, and income while facing the challenges posed by storms and rising climate risks. In 2025, the community experienced a significant turning point, celebrating two key developments aimed at securing their future.
Through the Vuvale Partnership, Australia is aiding Vio Island by establishing a new community evacuation center and enhancing its solar mini-grid system. These initiatives are designed to strengthen the community’s resilience during disasters and expand access to clean, reliable energy.
The recently opened evacuation center offers Vio families a safe haven during cyclones and severe weather events. This facility, powered by renewable energy, ensures essential services such as lighting and communications remain operational in times of crisis. For a community that has faced numerous storms, the center brings invaluable peace of mind, reinforcing preparedness and resilience based on local needs.
Complementing the evacuation center is the upgrade to Vio’s solar mini-grid system, aimed at improving access to affordable and dependable electricity. The enhancements will enable smart metering and mobile payments, providing better management of energy resources for households and small businesses. Improved electricity access is expected to bolster education and livelihoods, allowing fishermen to refrigerate their catches overnight, thereby maximizing sales opportunities and economic returns, particularly benefiting women and youth.
These initiatives are the result of Australia’s enduring partnership with the Government of Fiji and the United Nations Development Programme, supported by the Fiji Rural Electrification Fund (FREF) and the Governance for Resilient Development in the Pacific programme. Notably, Australia’s commitment to FREF marks its largest investment in off-grid renewable energy within the Pacific region. The program is anticipated to benefit over 6,500 individuals and cut down more than 2,900 tonnes of carbon emissions, facilitating a transition to cleaner, sustainable energy for the communities involved.
The support provided to Vio Island highlights that for these island communities, assistance extends far beyond electricity. It translates to safer homes, enhanced livelihoods, and increased resilience against climate change. By merging disaster preparedness with access to clean energy, the joint efforts of Australia and Fiji aim to ensure that even the most remote communities are equipped to face future challenges head-on.