Time is not on our side but if we want to make fundamental shifts towards effective interventions in climate change then we must invest in time with communities.

Climate Tok coordinator Makereta Waqavonovono said this in a report put together from the convening of community representatives from across Fiji titled ‘Our Stories: A Report of the 2nd Community Representatives Convening on Climate-Forced Displacement and Relocation.’

The report was a product of the second convening of community representatives organised by Climate Tok, the only non-government organisation in Fiji that has provided a space for community representatives to discuss loss and damage, and relocation issues since 2019.

Participants in the report recommended an annual audit of evacuation centres.

They also said the audits must include assessments of the centres’ safety, and capacity to ensure privacy and dignity for persons with disabilities, women, children, youth, the elderly and bed-ridden members of the communities they served.

“These representatives live in villages and for some of them, they have led their villagers through relocation, some are still in tent villages, awaiting support to establish themselves on another site,” Ms Waqavonovono said.

In launching the report, Vanuatu’s Climate Change Meteorology, Geo-Hazard, Environment, Energy and Disaster Management Minister Ralph Regenvanu said the development sector “would gain so much more than acquiesce if communities trust you”.

“Respect their wisdom and knowledge and learn to work with them instead of forcing your timelines on them,” he said.

“If we recognise these ways of knowing, your programs within communities will be effective and sustainable.

“This report provides an insight into their discussions, into their recommendations for a more fruitful partnership between communities and development agencies.”