Sheltering in caves over for villagers
The newly-commissioned Evacuation Center for Nabubu villagers will ease their struggles of seeking shelter in caves during cyclones. Mr Rabuka said the project demonstrated a worthy partnership between Government and the village. Government assisted with $28,000 during the midpoint of the construction.
The village catered for their own timber supplies from their farm and invested $11,000 during the initial construction phase (until partial roofing) when Government called to assist.
Mr Rabuka said the adverse weather shelter would now ensure the safety and well-being of the villagers during the course of a natural disaster.
He acknowledged the international community, especially the COP (Conference of Parties), for initiating the climate change mitigation programmes.
“The development is a sign of the fruit of cooperation between the community and the Government in making this project a reality,” he said.
Mr Rabuka applauded the idea behind constructing the evacuation center all part of the construction phase, especially villagers themselves.
Village headman, Kalivereti Beranaivua, said the evacuation center would enable 21 families with a village population of 78 to safely shelter during natural disasters. Mr Beranaivua, 53, said during TC Yasa the seawater inundated the village.
“We had to stock up on supplies and the vulnerable, mothers and children, had to stay with other villagers in caves near the village,” he said.
“We stayed three days and night during the height of TC Yasa.”
The fears and struggles are now gone.
“We are a resilent village setting and now with the evacuation centre we have confidence that future disasters would be taken care of,” he said.