Page 32 - FMR64_Trafficking and smuggling & Climate crisis and local communities_2020_web

FMR 64
32 Climate crisis and local communities
www.fmreview.org/issue64 June 2020

Multiple mobilities in Pacific Islands communities

Fanny Thornton, Karen McNamara, Olivia Dun, Carol Farbotko, Celia McMichael, Merewalesi
Yee, Sabira Coelho, Tim Westbury, Sharon James and Frances Namoumou

Types of mobility in the Pacific Islands are numerous and diverse. Case-studies from the
region offer insights into the actions and agency of people, households and communities in
the face of accelerating climate vulnerability.
The Pacific Islands feature prominently church networks, donor agencies and
in global debates around climate-related the Provincial Council and government
mobility in light of the region’s vulnerability ministries. Challenges of relocation have
to climate change impacts. Some estimates included changes in diet and lifestyle (not
suggest that up to 1.7 million people in the least due to easier access to urban centres),
region will migrate or be displaced by 2050 disrupted attachment to place, lack of a
because of climate impacts. Such movement place of worship (which is being addressed
1
manifests itself in various ways, including through community-funded construction
planned relocation of communities, migration of a church) and incomplete infrastructure.
from rural to urban areas (or towards main Other Fijian villages are also retreating
islands), and cross-border migration. 2 from encroaching shorelines, both with and
without government and donor support,
Relocating – Fiji although some are not relocating their
In Fiji, at least 42 villages have been identified entire community. In the coastal settlement
by the Fijian government for planned Vunisavisavi in Vanua Levu, for example, in
relocation as a potential adaptive response 2015 just four new houses were built (with
to climate change risks. The communities donor support), beyond the inundation
concerned are low-lying coastal sites that zone, while other houses were upgraded for
variously experience inundation of homes and cyclone proofing. Short-distance retreat of
ancestral burial grounds, shoreline erosion, a few households has limited disruption to
storm surges, and saltwater intrusion into daily lives, livelihoods and place attachment.
arable farmland and potable water sources. These planned relocations offer lessons,
Several villages – some with the support of including the need for: inclusive decision-
government ministries, donors and NGOs making processes prior to, during and
– have undertaken the process of relocating following relocation; continuation of spiritual
their homes, livelihoods and communities and cultural lives of communities; maintained
away from sites of environmental risk or improved standards of living, including
The coastal village of Vunidogoloa access to services (health, education,
in Vanua Levu, for example, relocated to markets) and infrastructure at household
higher ground in 2014 to reduce exposure and community levels; and livelihood
to coastal erosion and inundation. The new planning so that all community members can
location is about 2km inland – situated on pursue sustainable livelihoods activities.
customary clan land – and offers improved
housing and infrastructure, access to Drawn to the city – Fiji
farmland and livelihoods activities, and Rural to urban migration can be a positive
improved access to health and educational strategy for livelihood diversification
services, main roads and markets. The move and resilience building, including among
was community-initiated with community communities facing climate risk in the Pacific
members and leaders playing key roles in Islands region where urban centres and
planning and decision making, and facilitated main islands already attract large numbers
through partnerships and collaboration of people. Some urban migrants channel
between community leaders and members, part of their income towards efforts to build