A new evacuation centre at Ravuka Village is close to completion, offering residents a stronger place of refuge during cyclones and other emergencies.

The project is being financed through income from pine harvesting carried out on land belonging to the Mataqali Veisererua.

Rather than directing the revenue solely toward immediate needs, the landowning unit has invested part of its natural resource earnings into infrastructure aimed at improving community safety and preparedness.

Construction of the facility is being undertaken by engineers from the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF), based on plans supplied by the Commissioner’s Office.

The building has entered its final finishing stage, with completion and handover anticipated by the end of 2026.

The pine harvesting operation is authorised under a licence issued by the Ministry of Forestry, with VTB serving as the project contractor.

Ministry forestry officers have also inspected the harvesting site to evaluate its environmental and social impacts and to ensure the operation continues to meet licence conditions and sustainable forestry requirements.

For villagers, the completed facility is expected to serve more than one purpose.

In addition to providing shelter during disasters, it will be available for community meetings, educational activities and other village programmes.

The Ravuka project highlights how revenue from managed natural resources can be channelled back into the community, supporting both local development and disaster preparedness.