Caption: Fiji NDMO Director Ms. Vasiti Soko participating at the Harnessing the power of migration to accelerate development and for climate prosperity in SIDS side event which was held along the margins of the 4th International Conference on Small Islands Developing States (SIDS4) in Antigua and Barbuda in May 2024.
ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA – Fiji’s progress in dealing with displacement, and relocation because of the increasing impacts of climate change was highlighted by the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) at the 4th International Conference for Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) in Antigua and Barbuda in May this year.
Speaking during a side event focused on “Harnessing the power of migration to accelerate development and for climate prosperity in SIDS” which was held along the margins of the SIDS meeting, NDMO Director Ms. Vasiti Soko said, while initiatives were being adopted by Government to address the issue of governance surrounding climate migration, the NDMO was also working with local communities and non-government organisations (NGOs) at the community level, and regionally with the relevant stakeholders through the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS).
“Fiji’s strategic location in the South Pacific positions it as a central hub for transportation and communication networks across the Pacific Islands. Our well-developed port facilities in Suva and Lautoka serve as vital gateways for trade and commerce, facilitating the movement of goods and services throughout the region. Fiji Airways, our national airline, connects numerous Pacific Island nations to Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and the United States, enhancing our connectivity and making Fiji a central hub for travel. With this advantage, migration to, from, and within Fiji continues to be driven by profound transformations such as urbanisation, changes in the labour market, and climate change. Therefore, we adopt comprehensive migration governance solutions,” Ms Soko said.
At the national level, Ms Soko Fiji enacted the Climate Change Act in 2021 which included provisions for planned relocation, outlining a framework for addressing climate change impacts which included the potential displacement of communities. It mandates the development of a Plan Relocation Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to manage the relocation of communities affected by climate change.
“The Climate Change Act also established the Climate Relocation of Communities Trust Fund as part of its climate resilience strategy, to support the relocation of communities severely affected by climate change. This initiative focuses on ensuring that relocations are conducted in a planned, safe, and dignified manner.”
Ms Soko further highlighted that the Climate Change Department had been enhancing the capacity of governmental and non-governmental institutions to manage planned relocation effectively by using climate vulnerability analysis tools to assess all risks involved.
“This includes training for officials, improving data collection and analysis, and fostering inter-agency collaboration. The Trust Fund sets a precedent for other nations facing similar challenges, demonstrating a commitment to both humanitarian needs and sustainable development,” she said.
“At the community level, the National Disaster Management Office, in collaboration with our local NGOs and CSOs, has developed the Community-Based Disaster Risk Training Manual, standardising disaster training in preparedness, response, and early recovery across 300 islands in Fiji. These programmes involve community training sessions on emergency procedures, risk assessment, and disaster planning, which are vital for enhancing resilience and ensuring that communities are better prepared for climate induced disasters.”
This participatory approach enables communities to be included in the planning and decision-making processes related to disaster displacements, ensuring that their voices are heard, and their needs are met.
“At the regional level, through the Pacific Islands Forum and other regional bodies, Fiji actively engages in regional and international cooperation to manage migration flows effectively. This includes partnerships with neighbouring countries and international organisations to share best practices and resources. Fiji’s participation exemplifies our commitment to collaborative migration governance.”
Despite challenges posed by having to relocate communities due to the severity of the impacts of climate change, Ms Soko said, the Government also fully recognise the significant role that the Fijian diaspora could play in mitigating the impacts of domestic economic shocks, particularly those caused by natural disasters.
“The Fijian diaspora has consistently demonstrated its resilience and commitment to our homeland through remittances, which serve as a lifeline during challenging times. In Fiji, remittances have remained a significant source of financial support over the past decade, averaging F$433.2 million annually, equivalent to 4.7 percent of GDP. These remittances play a crucial role in enhancing livelihoods and welfare at the household level, while also stimulating economic growth on a national scale,” she added.
Caption: Fiji NDMO Director Ms. Vasiti Soko with other guest speakers at the Harnessing the power of migration to accelerate development and for climate prosperity in SIDS side event which was held along the margins of the 4th International Conference on Small Islands Developing States (SIDS4) in Antigua and Barbuda in May this year.
