FOR the small community of Vio Island, the ocean has always been both a lifeline and a looming threat. Families here depend on the sea for transport, food, and income, yet they also face the constant reality of storms and rising climate risks. In 2025, the community marked a turning point, celebrating two milestone developments that are working in an integrated way to help safeguard their future.
Through the Vuvale Partnership, Australia is supporting the people of Vio Island with a new community evacuation centre and upgraded solar minigrid system – strengthening resilience during disasters and improving access to clean, reliable energy.
A safe place when it matters most
The newly commissioned evacuation centre provides Vio families with a safe, reliable shelter during cyclones and extreme weather events. Powered by renewable energy, the centre ensures lighting, communications and basic services remain available when they are needed most.
For a community that has experienced repeated storms, the evacuation centre offers something invaluable: peace of mind. It is a safe space built with local needs in mind, reinforcing community preparedness and resilience.
Expanding clean and reliable power
Alongside the evacuation centre, Australia is supporting upgrades to Vio’s solar mini grid system, improving access to affordable and reliable electricity.
The upgraded system will enable smart metering, mobile payments and improved 24/7 connectivity, helping households and small businesses manage energy use more effectively. Better electricity access also supports education and livelihoods, with fishing catch able to be refrigerated overnight to improve sale opportunities. and improve sales returns, health services and economic opportunities, particularly for women and young people.
Delivering real impact
These initiatives are being delivered through Australia’s longstanding partnership with the Government of Fiji and the United Nations Development Programme, including support through the Fiji Rural Electrification Fund (FREF) and the Governance for Resilient Development in the Pacific programme.
Australia’s support to FREF represents its largest single investment in off grid renewable energy in the Pacific. Across Fiji, the program is expected to benefit more than 6,500 people and reduce over 2,900 tonnes of carbon emissions, helping communities transition to cleaner, more sustainable energy.
A partnership in action
For island communities like Vio, this support is about more than electricity. It is about safer homes, stronger livelihoods and greater resilience in the face of climate change.
By combining disaster preparedness with clean energy access, Australia and Fiji are helping ensure that even remote communities are not left behind.
Solar panels installed at Vio Island. Picture: SUPPLIED
Vio Island. Picture: SUPPLIED
