During her visit to Fiji this week, the German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and her delegation visited the Vuniniudrovu Village in Naitasiri to witness first-hand the impacts of climate change in the lives of communities in Fiji.
Located in the interior of Naitasiri province, the Vuniniudrovu Village is home to 51 families who depend on the nearby river and subsistence farming for their livelihoods. In recent years, the villagers have seen rising flood waters and soil erosion which have not only affected their livelihoods but also means they have to prepare to relocate their village.
The villagers warmly welcomed Ms. Baerbock and her delegation in a first of such visits which highlight the impacts of the climate crisis, and the opportunities to collaborate and support communities that are trying to rebuild their lives.
Ms. Baerbock acknowledged the Vuniniudrovu villagers for their resilience and also reaffimed Germany’s support to the community in their efforts to address climate change.
She said Germany stands ready to support Fiji in addressing common challenges, the climate crisis being top on the list. She added that her timely visit to Fiji this week is an opportunity to expand German cooperation and support for Fiji’s development priorities.
Ms. Baerbock expressed appreciation to the Vuniniudrovu villagers for their kind hospitality and especially recognised women for their contributions to their community.
Turaga-ni-Koro for Vuniniudrovu, Apete Vodivodi thanked the German delegation for their visit which signifies Germany’s commitment to support Fiji in the area of climate change.
He said relocation is their next best option and they look forward for further support as they aspire to build a more secure future for their families.
Mr. Vodivodi is grateful that a collaborative approach is taken in Fiji to reachout and support communities who need to be relocated due to the climate crisis.
Expressing similar sentiments, Vuniniudrovu Soqosoqo Vakamarama rep, Ulamila Kurubale said it’s an historic occasion for her village to welcome the German Minister.
The village women are glad they had the opportunity to meet the German delegation and to receive a donation to help them with income generation. They are grateful for the kind gesture of support and appreciation accorded to the many women of Vuniniudrovu village who aspire on a day to day basis to support their families despite the impacts of the climate crisis and they remain steadfast in their commitment to build a brighter and better future for present and future generations.
