The European Union has invested more than $5.3 million through Adventist Development & Relief Agency’s (ADRA) Vakarau Wai Fiji Pro Resilience Project in Ba and Macuata.
Officiating as chief guest at the Vakarau Wai Fiji Pro Resilience Project exit strategy meeting yesterday, Ministry for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management permanent secretary David Kolitagane lauded the project, adding his ministry was reviewing its 10-Year Strategic Development Plan targeting the transformation of rural communities .
“Drought is indeed a recurring phenomenon in Fiji and it is pleasing to learn that through this project, you are building safe and resilient communities from future El Nino-induced drought conditions,” said Mr Kolitagane.
“My policy and research team has analysed the Fiji Bureau of Statistics 2017 Census data and the Household Income and Expenditure Survey of 2014 and have identified that about 10.4 per cent of Fiji’s rural population (8611 households) are still drinking from high risk water sources.
“You have enhanced capacity of 150 local communities on drought adaptation and food security by ensuring they have access to water for agriculture production.”
Also speaking at the occasion, EU ambassador to Fiji and the Pacific, Sujiro Seam said the project was about partnerships which the European Union was very proud of.
Mr Seam also said the project would leave communities better than before and more resilient in the face of climate change.
