Yavusania – Yavusania Multi-purpose Evacuation Centre began with the vision of a local family. Six years ago, the family's goal was simple: to build an indoor gym for a local football team. The family and other community members fundraised by collecting bottles and selling them to the Australian government. They also shared their story on Facebook, which attracted attention and donations from various supporters. 

Years later, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) – recognizing that Yavusania lacked an evacuation centre – initiated the transformation of the half-finished gym into an evacuation centre. This marked the beginning of a new chapter for resilience in Yavusania. 

Under the “Strengthening National and Community Resilience to Disaster and Displacement Risks in the Republic of Fiji” project, generously funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) and Save the Children, the retrofitting of the evacuation centre commenced. This initiative involved community consultations and a comprehensive assessment of the building. After three years of dedicated effort, the project was successfully completed in October 2024. Now, the evacuation centre serves multiple purposes – it can still be used as a gym but also as a safe refuge during emergencies. 

On 8 October, the opening ceremony of the Yavusania Evacuation Centre took place, attended by both local stakeholders and officials from various organizations. Notable participants included Mr Sakiasi Ditoka, Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management; Solomon Kantha, Chief of Mission for IOM Fiji; Hankyulsam Cho, Country Director of KOICA Fiji; and Ms Vasiti Soko, Director of NDMO, along with Momo na Tui Nadi. However, it was the members of the Yavusania community who truly shone, embodying the heart and spirit of the area. 

With the Yavusania community now equipped with an evacuation centre, they are poised to enhance safety and resilience for the future through upcoming Community-Based Disaster Risk Management training. 

•••

For more information, please contact Matthew Bidder at IOM Fiji, mbidder@iom.int.