Talks on challenges of disaster displacement

FIJI is committed to promoting global advocacy regarding the challenges of disaster displacement and outreach at the national and regional levels.

Permanent secretary for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Salaseini Daunabuna gave this reassurance while welcoming government representatives from the region and experts and representatives from international organisations who will be meeting in Nadi this week for a regional consultation to discuss the challenges of human mobility in the context of disasters and the adverse effects of climate change in the region.

She said it was critical to ensure we were prepared as a region to handle displacement brought on by climate change and natural disasters.

“I also recognise our strengthened partnership with the Platform on Disaster Displacement over the years. We wish to also reassure the incoming chair from the European Union of our continued support in this regard,” she said.

Ahead of the opening of the regional consultation today, the delegates made a field trip to the Tukuraki Village Relocation Project yesterday to interact and listen to the stories of survival and resilience of the villagers.

“I am positive that some of you would have come away with a broadened perspective, seeing firsthand how relocation can affect whole communities, who are forced to move because of climate change and natural disasters.”

“Although it is sad story, it stresses the realities that we all face as a region but above all else it shows our resilience,”

She also encouraged the participants to make every opportunity count at the regional consultation by engaging in discussions of sound and sustainable solutions to address disaster placement to protect the rights, health and prosperity of the Pacific people.