In accordance with the Climate Change Act 2021 (Section 75, Subsection (1)), the Fiji Taskforce on the Relocation of Communities Vulnerable to the Impacts of Climate Change (FTRD) was established. It comprises of Directors and/or designated representatives from key government ministries, the FTRD undertakes pivotal role in steering, decision-making, and coordinating roles for all initiatives and processes related to planned relocation as stipulated in the Climate Change Act 2021.

On Wednesday, 6^th March 2024, the members of the Taskforce convened for its first inaugural meeting of the year at the Ministry of Justice’s Level 1 Conference Room. The meeting was opened by the Chairperson, Mr. Filimone Tuivanualevu, Acting Director Climate Change Division. The representatives included Directors and senior officers from relevant line ministries.

During the meeting, members were given an update on the activities and outputs since the last FTRD meeting in November 2023. Most importantly, an update on the relocation projects currently underway in the Northern Division using the SOP as a guide. The current status on the finalisation of the Comprehensive Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Methodology (CRVAM) was also updated to the members of the Taskforce.

Dr. Glenn Finau presented to the Taskforce his initial findings on the current scope on Non-Economic Loss and Damage (NELD) in relation to the development of an approach on how we can quantify and mitigate the losses on both tangible and intangible NELD issues.  This is in order to ensure cultural and traditional practice, sacred and historically significant values and sites losses are mitigated during the relocation of our communities.

Mr. Setareki Dakuiboca, Divisional Planning Officer for the Northern Division, provided insights into the progress of the Nabavatu village relocation project, with additional support from Habitat for Humanity, who presented further on the Nabavatu Master Plan.  Noteworthy, progress have been achieved following the cabinet’s endorsement of the relocation project in February 2024.

Ms. Vani Catanasiga, representing the Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS), provided an update on Project Cokonaki Cogea: A Community-Led Relocation Pilot 2022 – 2025. Both projects are currently in Phase I of the relocation timeline.

In addition, were presentations from the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and Habitat for Humanity Fiji on their role in the effective implementation of the SOP.