Women's Weather Watch 29 May - Rural Women On Alert
With the forecast for more turbulent weather, FemLINKPacific has activated our Women's Weather Watch and contacted women
through our "1325" rural community media network:
In Nausori, correspondent Paulin Fong reports communities living close to the Rewa River are once again monitoring the
water levels; the colour and pace of the of the river also indicates heavy rain fall in the mountains even though all
they are experiencing at around 330pm were heavy winds.
She voiced concern that there were no indication of what might be evacuation procedures especially if the river rises to
the dangerous levels experienced in recent times.
Many women are remaining indoors due to the high winds.
According to our Tavua correspondent, Fane Lomani low lying areas like Yaladro and Balata were flooded yesterday 28/5
due to the heavy rainfall and women from the rural network had also remained indoors because the rain had damaged
already poor access roads.
While no flooding damage has been reported by the women remained positive as sunshine peaked through the heavy grey
clouds.
She also reported that there was no local information about evacuation procedures.
30 minutes away in Ba town, Dorothy Bali of the Ba Seniors Centre is well aware of the implications of heavy rainfall
and storms, especially for the elderly and so she is keeping her fingers crossed that the current good weather will
prevail in Ba.
And similar reports were made by Losana Derenalagi in Nadi and Lucille Chute in Labasa.
The Pacific Regional Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (October 2012) reaffirms that protection of women’s and
girls’ human rights during humanitarian crises such as floods and storms and so it is critical that early evacuation
procedures and systems are highlighted through public and community media systems to ensure the safety and protection of
women, children, the elderly, persons with disabilities as well as persons from diverse SOGI groups.
The prevention of sexual and gender-based violence is critical and should include policies to ensure women and girls’
access to health, psychosocial, legal and protection in times of humanitarian emergency and in reconstruction and
rehabilitation after conflict and crisis.
ENDS