Rural Women Remain On Alert

Rural Women Remain On Alert

"Today is the day that we depend on making the most as many come to shop but the weather is just not helping. It is very bad in the market as we have some leakage in the market from the roof and this rain is not helping at all," said the President of the Nausori Market Vendors Association, Salote Delau.

It was 830am and shoppers and market vendors together were contemplating how to manage as the rain persisted and they spoke to FemLINKPacific correspondent-convenor in Nausori, Paulin Fong:

"I just dont really know what to say we sit outside no shelter with our produce and look what is happening .These are the times when we want to sell and make the most on Saturdays and the weather spoils everything," lamented Raijeli Toanivere of Kuiva who sells at the Nausori Market every Saturday.

Reshmi Kiran travelled from Vusiya to Nausori town:

"As I was coming from Vusiya to town with the rain all night and strong wind I can see alot of small not very big branches on the way fallen from trees"

As the women continue to monitor the weather it is clear that reliable and regular information including SMS messages and radio alerts are needed so that vulnerable communities are able to quickly mobilise for evacuation.

Health programmes will also be needed to prevent the spread of water-borne diseses.

Local women community leaders must also be included in all planning and disaster management and response strategies.

Meanehile, Arieta Veiqaravi like many of the residents living close to the banks of the Nausori River is monitoring the river level at Vunimono Village: "No the level of the river is not rising but the rubbish from the top like bamboos and others are being pushed down and we can see all the rubbish but so far it is like that a lot of rain but if it gets worse I really do not know as no one has come to inform us."

For Nanise Cakau, who lives at Nausori Village, the danger signs are as close as the front door: "If the compound around my house collects water then I know I am danger. Everything is just muddy now."

Ends

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