Posted on October, 13 2024

Suva, Fiji, October 13, 2024 — As we mark International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR), the importance of community-driven leadership in disaster preparedness is highlighted more than ever. This year’s theme emphasizes the vital role of local leaders and the integration of nature-based solutions, traditional knowledge, and cultural values into disaster management frameworks. The District of Nacula serves as a shining example of how these elements can come together to build more resilient communities.

Earlier this year, Lavenia from Nacula District was recognized with the Sautu Woman in Disaster Risk Reduction Award for her leadership in implementing community-driven disaster preparedness initiatives. Her efforts are part of a broader vision laid out in the Tikina Nacula Sustainable Development Plans (2018–2038). This 20-year plan guides sustainable development across both districts through an integrated, holistic approach, ensuring the proper management of natural resources while addressing climate variability and reducing vulnerability to natural disasters.

The Sustainable Development Plan is designed to empower communities through awareness, capacity building, and hands-on experiential training. It promotes the adoption of best practices in sustainable resource management while focusing on disaster risk reduction (DRR). Nacula’s DRR plans involve thorough consultations with all seven villages in the district, establishing DRR committees, and creating management frameworks that combine nature conservation with disaster preparedness.

“Being recognized as a leader in DRR is not just a personal achievement but a reflection of our community’s hard work,” said Lavenia. “The Sustainable Development Plan has helped us build a stronger community by ensuring our natural resources—mangroves, coral reefs, and marine ecosystems—are not only conserved but also utilized as natural barriers against climate-induced disasters like category 5 cyclones.”

The Nacula Sustainable Development Plan (2018–2038) emphasizes the integration of nature-based solutions such as mangrove restoration and coral reef protection into the district’s disaster management strategies. These ecosystems act as natural defences, reducing the impacts of storm surges, flooding, and coastal erosion. The plan also emphasizes the importance of traditional knowledge and cultural values in disaster planning, fostering a sense of community ownership and resilience.

“Our DRR committees are working to ensure that preparedness and response strategies are built on both scientific understanding and indigenous wisdom,” Lavenia added. “This approach has not only made us more resilient but has also given our community a model that other districts can follow.”

As Fiji faces increasing vulnerability to climate change and extreme weather events, the need for sustainable, community-driven solutions has never been more urgent. The Tikina Nacula Sustainable Development Plan offers a framework that other communities across Fiji can adopt, ensuring that disaster preparedness is woven into everyday life and long-term planning.

On this International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, we call upon communities, governments, and organizations to prioritize nature conservation, promote traditional knowledge, and build partnerships that will strengthen the resilience of Fiji’s communities to future disasters.