Praneeta Prakash 
[Photo: File]
The government is implementing a $9.2 million climate adaptation programme aimed at strengthening the resilience of families living in vulnerable informal settlements across the country.
Minister for Housing Maciu Nalumisa says the Fiji Resilience Informal Settlements programme is funded by the Adaptation Fund.
The programme is being implemented in partnership with UN-Habitat, the Ministry of Housing, relevant municipal councils and participating communities.
Nalumisa says ¤the programme targets informal settlements in the urban areas of Lami, Sigatoka, Nadi and Lautoka.
“These communities face significant exposure to flooding, coastal inundation, erosion, inadequate drainage, poor sanitation as well as other climate-related hazards. Mr. Speaker Sir, the implementation of FRIS is guided by four main components.”
He says a climate-risk assessments, technical planning and community capacity-building activities will also be carried out.
“Before commencing the capital works, the program will undertake a coordinated package of climate risk assessment, technical planning and community capacity activities for the 2026-2027 financial year. We’ve engaged to undertake climate vulnerability assessment and mapping supported by a geographic information system analysis for the 16 selected informal settlements.”
The capital works component has a budget of about $7.2 million and is expected to benefit more than 1,500 households across the 16 settlements.
