Local climate story featured at COP27

YOUTH participation is at the core of high-level talks at COP27.

A band of activists named the Pacific Climate Warriors has launched the Frontline Truths: Stories of Climate Mobility platform at COP27 where stories of forced relocation, community displacement and resilience and resistance to movement are displayed for the world to see.

One of the stories featured Akuila Soconibalawa Tabakece of Cogea Village in Wainunu, Bua.

He said when Tropical Cyclone Yasa struck on December 17, 2020; it was the most frightening night of his life.

Mr Tabakece said the young men had prepared the village for cyclone winds and rain by nailing roofing iron across windows, but did not anticipate the neighbouring Wainunu and Waininaro rivers would break their banks.

He said at 8pm, the two rivers broke their banks, and flood waters began to rise.

Mr Tabakece said it was the youths’ responsibility to move people from the village church to one of the houses built in an elevated area at the height of the Category 5 cyclone.

He said they could only watch with horror as they saw houses moved from their foundation and washed away by the strong currents.

Kiribati activist Itinterunga Rae Bainteiti shared his experience and highlighted the history of his people when they settled on Rabi (5km off Taveuni Island, Fiji) almost 77 years ago.

He said they were promised homes, but were given tents when they arrived

“They were given two weeks’ worth of rations and, after that, had to scour this new and foreign land for food. We lost elders and children to illness because there were no hospitals, no treated water and no sanitation,” Mr Bainteiti said.

“We are a generation that is so angry because the process of our migration did not work for our people, but we do not dwell on what has happened in the past.

“We want to move forward, using these lessons learnt so that it can help other migrants that will have to cross borders to survive. We want to ensure that they are guaranteed basic human rights.”

Youth representatives also met with various Pacific leaders, including the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Henry Puna.