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 | | Natural disasters | Social aspects | Fiji | Kadavu, Disasters | Social aspects | Fiji | Kadavu
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|  | Vulnerability, adaptability and disaster resilience of communities in Fiji : a case study of cyclone affected communities in Kadavu
Author: Tokavou, Noa
Institution: University of the South Pacific.
Award: M.A. Development Studies
Subject: Cyclones | Social aspects | Fiji | Kadavu, Disaster victims | Fiji | Kadavu | Social conditions, Natural disasters | Social aspects | Fiji | Kadavu, Disasters | Social aspects | Fiji | Kadavu
Date: 2016
Call No.: Pac QC 959 .F5 T65 2016
BRN: 1209223
Copyright:Over 80% of this thesis may be copied without the authors written permission
Abstract: Pacific Island countries are more vulnerable to both meteorological hazards like cyclones, floods, and droughts and geological hazards such as earthquake, tsunami, volcanism and landslides. The natural disasters are impacting the Pacific Island countries due to their geographic location that lie within the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’ and the tropical cyclone belt in which cyclones develop and intensify. Cyclones had been the most frequent disaster in Fiji islands, accounting for 51 per cent of natural disasters. The remoteness of an island generally delay the arrival of any assistance during a disaster but sound community adaptability skills, resilience-building and knowledge of the communities would help to cope well and reduce the impacts of a disaster. The objective of this research is to assess the vulnerability, adaptability and resilience of the cyclone affected communities in Kadavu Island in Fiji, a remote island province with a population of approximately 10,000 people. The assessment of community vulnerability, adaptability and resilience was carried out through documentation analysis as well as field survey at the household level. The research methodology used was largely qualitative. A sample of 9 villages of 75 villages on Kadavu was included in the survey. The samples covered from each of the 9 tikina or district and 20 per cent households from each village were randomly selected. The survey found that communities of Kadavu are aware of cyclone resistant crops and planting crops such as sweet potatoes, giant taro, yam, tivoli and cassava. Apart from the cropping patterns, the communities are using the cyclone resistant materials for housing. Strong community cohesiveness does exist in Kadavu which was evidenced by the support for shelter, food and clothing to affected people. The research recommends that planting of cyclone resistant crops need to be strongly advocated and monitored by government and civil society organisations. Community cohesiveness is to be nurtured through the traditional and religious leaderships to ensure that future generations can sustain them.
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