Tour to check progress of programs on island

UNITED Nations resident coordinator, Sanaka Samarasinha started his tour of Kadavu this week to check the progress of existing UN programs on the island.

According to the UN Pacific, both Mr Samarasinha and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were strong on their multi-sectoral messages, encouraging both UN and government programs to break down silos and work across different expertise of departments and UN agencies to find thoughtful solutions that impacted people on the ground.

“This field visit to Kadavu will check the progress of existing programs and encourage an integrated approach that is risk informed going forward,” UN Pacific said.

“It is a chance to check with communities on the ground of the impacts they have felt as a result of this compound emergency and determine the current impact of UN projects and those going forward.”

Mr Samarasinha yesterday visited Nabukelevu-i-Ra to support the TC Harold recovery process where the UNDP had invested about $536,000 in Kadavu through the Disaster Resilience for Pacific Small Island Developing States (RESPAC).

“These interventions are focused on supporting debris removal and roads clearing, through the provision of specialised equipment.

“For livelihoods recovery, through the provision of cash to affected families and the support to reactivation of economic activities and the restoration and improvement of the capacities of the affected weather stations.”

Meanwhile, in co-ordination with Fiji Meteorological Service, the Kadavu Weather Station will be re-equipped with an automated weather station (AWS), rain gauges and temperature sensors.

According to UN Pacific, the equipment will arrive in Suva on October 11.

Mr Samarasinha is also expected to launch the Fiji National University’s (FNU’s) technical training course on Kadavu for enhancing capacities in electrical installation, plumbing, wooden house construction and small engine repairs during his visit to Nabukelevu-i-Ra.

This will be done in collaboration with iTaukei Affairs Board and Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Fiji.