Government of the Republic of Fiji
Government of the Republic of Fiji
10/23/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/23/2024 03:56
MINISTER FOR HOUSING & LOCAL GOVERNMENT HON. MACIU NALUMISA'S ADDRESS AT THE
"Leaving No One Behind: Partnerships for Improving Community Health through Safely Managed Sanitation for All."
Excellences, Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Acting Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services
Senior Government Officials
Representatives of Non-Governmental Organisations and Faith based organisations that are present here today
Members of the Academia - Professors from, Monash University, Vice Chancellor Fiji National University, and from the University of the South Pacific
Chief Executive Officer - I'TLTB
Chief Executive Officer for the Municipal Councils
Community leaders
Members of the Media
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Bula Vinaka and Welcome!
It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the very first Symposium for Revitalising Informal Settlements and their Environments (RISE) here at the Fiji National University Nasinu Campus. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to each one of you for taking out time from your busy schedules to engage in these vital discussions about nature-based and decentralized revitalization strategies. Your presence here demonstrates our shared commitment and responsibility to address the critical issues surrounding informal settlements in Fiji.
With the theme, Leaving No One Behind: Partnership for Improving Community Health through Safely Managed Sanitation for All, the Coalition Government through the Ministry of Housing has continued to support RISE Fiji in ensuring that all Fijians have access to adequate, safe and affordable housing, basic services and revitalising informal settlements in Fiji.
Since its inception in 2017, the RISE program has pioneered research in decentralised wastewater management using Nature-Based Solutions (NBS). The Goal is to provide evidence that such systems can effectively enhance the living conditions of our communities with the ambition of improving residents' overall health and well-being.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Coalition Government through the Ministry of Housing is steadfast in its commitment to shaping Fiji's housing landscape through immaculate strategy planning and policy formulation. Funding assistance of $1 million has been approved for the fiscal year 2023-2024 and an additional $1 million in the 2024-2025 budget. These funds are to support the RISE program enhance access to sanitation services and improve drainage in our informal settlements.
The Ministry is also undertaking an institutional reform via the review of the 2011 National Housing Policy with the aim of addressing the complexities of rapid urban growth and facilitate the harmonising of land development aspects through enhanced forward planning.
Ladies and Gentlemen, in this financial year 2024-2025, we are excited to have New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) alongside Fiji's Ministry of Housing as key stakeholders, providing governance oversight and technical advice.
Through this bilateral partnership, the New Zealand MFAT aims to support Fiji's ambition to improve socio-economic outcomes for low incomes in Fiji through improved access to quality, affordable housing, support good governance between the partners and facilitate efficient management of resources for greater efficacy and impact.
The scope of the Fiji /NZ MFAT bilateral arrangement among others include co-funding the RISE program to further provide infrastructure and sanitation management systems into the housing and landscapes of six informal settlements in the Greater Suva Area.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the objective of the RISE program is to improve basic sanitation services in our communities to improve overall health and well-being of our community residents, and this is supported and implemented by Monash University, both the Ministry of Housing and NZMFAT provide governance and oversight in these activities.
Through these activities, the RISE program aims to eliminate the risk of exposure to contamination or reduce the community's risk to exposure to contamination by at least 80%. This is done by treating wastewater in these communities and reducing exposure by alleviating flooding and introducing interventions that disrupt the pathway of pathogens from the environment to humans.
Ladies and Gentlemen, through the bilateral arrangement, RISE planned interventions includes a new rock-lined drainage works, Footpaths and boardwalks, Twelve Wetpods across six settlements (Komave, Nauluvatu, Matata, Vunibua, Wailea and Muanivatu), spot backfilling for waterlogged areas, installation of 74 pressure tanks across six sites, six communal sewer tanks, construction of three treatment wetlands at Komave, Nauluvatu, and Vunibua, a demonstration site at Tamavua-i-wai featuring multiple pressure tanks and treatment wetlands.
As we look ahead, RISE operations are closely aligned with Fiji's commitment to the 2030 UN Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly SDG 11 which aims to ensure cities and human settlements are inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
The programs are designed to enhance housing conditions for Fijians, upholding the right to accessible and adequate housing enshrined in Section 35 of the Fiji Constitution.
The Ministry of Housing and RISE Fiji are committed to realizing the goal of "providing an effective system that ensures accessible and adequate housing," as outlined in the 2025-2029 National Development Plan and Vision 2050.
This includes providing affordable housing for low-income earners, upgrading informal settlements, and strengthening partnerships with NGOs and other stakeholders. With more than 250 informal settlements housing about 25% of our population, the Ministry is collaborating with partners to implement urgent upgrades.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Ministry of Housing has been working closely with RISE and several partner Agencies-including the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, the Ministry of Infrastructure, the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources, the iTaukei Land Trust Board, and the Water Authority of Fiji-to trial new, water-sensitive interventions in 13 urban informal settlements in Suva, benefiting approximately 3,600 residents.
Led by the Monash University, RISE represents a trans-disciplinary research initiative that is reshaping informal settlement upgrading through deep community engagement and decentralized infrastructure strategies. This approach includes co-designing infrastructure with community members and conducting ongoing surveys of environmental and human health indicators in collaboration with Fiji National University.
The work undertaken by RISE aligns seamlessly with the initiatives of various Government Agencies, complementing the Ministry of Housing's Informal Settlement Upgrading Formalisation Programme (ISUP). Notably, the Water Authority of Fiji has integrated RISE's Nature-Based systems into its Water Sector Strategy 2050.
Construction on the remaining five sites in Suva will continue through till the end of 2024. To further amplify the impact of the RISE program, we are establishing an inter-agency task force that will bring together key stakeholders and delivery partners. This high-level task force will build on the work of the existing RISE Technical Coordination Committee, which meets monthly to drive our collective efforts.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Health is a vital element that connects with various Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all ages.
To support this goal, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services is dedicated to establishing strong, efficient, and equitable health systems for all communities as part of the 2025-2029 National Development Goals.
The global health pandemic and the increase in non-communicable diseases have significantly strained our health system, a situation exacerbated by lifestyle choices, consumption patterns, and population growth. In response, the Government is implementing innovative measures to modernize the health system and meet increasing demands.
Vulnerable informal settlements face the greatest health challenges, struggling with inadequate sanitation, limited access to clean water, and the impacts of climate change. Overcrowding in these areas increases the risk of infectious diseases, compounded by a lack of access to healthy food.
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services, in partnership with RISE Fiji, is actively working to provide essential public services and improve the health and well-being of informal communities
To fully realize the potential of the RISE program, a collaborative and comprehensive multi-stakeholder approach is essential. This will enable the integration of RISE initiatives into the Government's framework, helping to alleviate health issues that impact the quality of life for Fijians.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the research conducted by RISE deserves commendation, as it plays a crucial role in facilitating effective wastewater treatment, essential for reducing the spread of waterborne diseases. This research will help identify pathogens and contaminants, leading to improved treatment methods.
The interdisciplinary nature of the RISE program has created new opportunities for the Ministry to enhance the health sector's capacity through stronger collaboration. Notably, the study has resulted in a repository of samples acquired through extensive research, which holds significant potential for further health investigations that could benefit Fiji and beyond.
Once these findings are published and proof of concepts are established, it will be important to engage in comprehensive discussions on how to apply this data for health and environmental studies in partnership with Fiji National University.
Ladies and Gentlemen, our discussions today will focus on exploring best practices, sharing lessons learnt, and highlighting case studies that illustrate how the RISE approach can support Government initiatives in addressing the challenges faced by informal settlement residents.
The goal for this symposium is, to foster collaboration among various stakeholders and lay the groundwork for the inter-agency task force, enhancing the partnership between RISE, Government, and NGO partners.
Fostering collaboration among various stakeholders is essential for addressing the complex challenges posed by informal settlements and ensuring the successful implementation of the RISE program. By bringing together Government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academic institutions, and community representatives, we can create a multi-faceted approach to problem-solving that draws on the diverse expertise and perspectives of all involved.
Our collaboration today should help us identify shared goals where we can create a unified vision for upgrading informal settlements. Understanding common goals such as improving health outcomes, enhancing sanitation and building resilient communities will of course foster a sense of partnership and collective responsibility.
We have with us a diverse group of participants who are here with their wealth of knowledge and unique skills, and this is an opportune time to leverage expertise, and involve community voices.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to encourage everyone to actively participate in the panel discussions and breakout sessions and connect with new colleagues throughout the day to drive meaningful change in the revitalization of informal settlements in Fiji.
Together, we can address the pressing challenges facing our communities and work toward a healthier, and more equitable future for all.
Thank you, Vinaka vakalevu and Dhaanvayaad.
Excellences, Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Acting Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services
Senior Government Officials
Representatives of Non-Governmental Organisations and Faith based organisations that are present here today
Members of the Academia - Professors from, Monash University, Vice Chancellor Fiji National University, and from the University of the South Pacific
Chief Executive Officer - I'TLTB
Chief Executive Officer for the Municipal Councils
Community leaders
Members of the Media
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Bula Vinaka and Welcome!
It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the very first Symposium for Revitalising Informal Settlements and their Environments (RISE) here at the Fiji National University Nasinu Campus. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to each one of you for taking out time from your busy schedules to engage in these vital discussions about nature-based and decentralized revitalization strategies. Your presence here demonstrates our shared commitment and responsibility to address the critical issues surrounding informal settlements in Fiji.
With the theme, Leaving No One Behind: Partnership for Improving Community Health through Safely Managed Sanitation for All, the Coalition Government through the Ministry of Housing has continued to support RISE Fiji in ensuring that all Fijians have access to adequate, safe and affordable housing, basic services and revitalising informal settlements in Fiji.
Since its inception in 2017, the RISE program has pioneered research in decentralised wastewater management using Nature-Based Solutions (NBS). The Goal is to provide evidence that such systems can effectively enhance the living conditions of our communities with the ambition of improving residents' overall health and well-being.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Coalition Government through the Ministry of Housing is steadfast in its commitment to shaping Fiji's housing landscape through immaculate strategy planning and policy formulation. Funding assistance of $1 million has been approved for the fiscal year 2023-2024 and an additional $1 million in the 2024-2025 budget. These funds are to support the RISE program enhance access to sanitation services and improve drainage in our informal settlements.
The Ministry is also undertaking an institutional reform via the review of the 2011 National Housing Policy with the aim of addressing the complexities of rapid urban growth and facilitate the harmonising of land development aspects through enhanced forward planning.
Ladies and Gentlemen, in this financial year 2024-2025, we are excited to have New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) alongside Fiji's Ministry of Housing as key stakeholders, providing governance oversight and technical advice.
Through this bilateral partnership, the New Zealand MFAT aims to support Fiji's ambition to improve socio-economic outcomes for low incomes in Fiji through improved access to quality, affordable housing, support good governance between the partners and facilitate efficient management of resources for greater efficacy and impact.
The scope of the Fiji /NZ MFAT bilateral arrangement among others include co-funding the RISE program to further provide infrastructure and sanitation management systems into the housing and landscapes of six informal settlements in the Greater Suva Area.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the objective of the RISE program is to improve basic sanitation services in our communities to improve overall health and well-being of our community residents, and this is supported and implemented by Monash University, both the Ministry of Housing and NZMFAT provide governance and oversight in these activities.
Through these activities, the RISE program aims to eliminate the risk of exposure to contamination or reduce the community's risk to exposure to contamination by at least 80%. This is done by treating wastewater in these communities and reducing exposure by alleviating flooding and introducing interventions that disrupt the pathway of pathogens from the environment to humans.
Ladies and Gentlemen, through the bilateral arrangement, RISE planned interventions includes a new rock-lined drainage works, Footpaths and boardwalks, Twelve Wetpods across six settlements (Komave, Nauluvatu, Matata, Vunibua, Wailea and Muanivatu), spot backfilling for waterlogged areas, installation of 74 pressure tanks across six sites, six communal sewer tanks, construction of three treatment wetlands at Komave, Nauluvatu, and Vunibua, a demonstration site at Tamavua-i-wai featuring multiple pressure tanks and treatment wetlands.
As we look ahead, RISE operations are closely aligned with Fiji's commitment to the 2030 UN Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly SDG 11 which aims to ensure cities and human settlements are inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
The programs are designed to enhance housing conditions for Fijians, upholding the right to accessible and adequate housing enshrined in Section 35 of the Fiji Constitution.
The Ministry of Housing and RISE Fiji are committed to realizing the goal of "providing an effective system that ensures accessible and adequate housing," as outlined in the 2025-2029 National Development Plan and Vision 2050.
This includes providing affordable housing for low-income earners, upgrading informal settlements, and strengthening partnerships with NGOs and other stakeholders. With more than 250 informal settlements housing about 25% of our population, the Ministry is collaborating with partners to implement urgent upgrades.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Ministry of Housing has been working closely with RISE and several partner Agencies-including the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, the Ministry of Infrastructure, the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources, the iTaukei Land Trust Board, and the Water Authority of Fiji-to trial new, water-sensitive interventions in 13 urban informal settlements in Suva, benefiting approximately 3,600 residents.
Led by the Monash University, RISE represents a trans-disciplinary research initiative that is reshaping informal settlement upgrading through deep community engagement and decentralized infrastructure strategies. This approach includes co-designing infrastructure with community members and conducting ongoing surveys of environmental and human health indicators in collaboration with Fiji National University.
The work undertaken by RISE aligns seamlessly with the initiatives of various Government Agencies, complementing the Ministry of Housing's Informal Settlement Upgrading Formalisation Programme (ISUP). Notably, the Water Authority of Fiji has integrated RISE's Nature-Based systems into its Water Sector Strategy 2050.
Construction on the remaining five sites in Suva will continue through till the end of 2024. To further amplify the impact of the RISE program, we are establishing an inter-agency task force that will bring together key stakeholders and delivery partners. This high-level task force will build on the work of the existing RISE Technical Coordination Committee, which meets monthly to drive our collective efforts.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Health is a vital element that connects with various Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all ages.
To support this goal, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services is dedicated to establishing strong, efficient, and equitable health systems for all communities as part of the 2025-2029 National Development Goals.
The global health pandemic and the increase in non-communicable diseases have significantly strained our health system, a situation exacerbated by lifestyle choices, consumption patterns, and population growth. In response, the Government is implementing innovative measures to modernize the health system and meet increasing demands.
Vulnerable informal settlements face the greatest health challenges, struggling with inadequate sanitation, limited access to clean water, and the impacts of climate change. Overcrowding in these areas increases the risk of infectious diseases, compounded by a lack of access to healthy food.
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services, in partnership with RISE Fiji, is actively working to provide essential public services and improve the health and well-being of informal communities
To fully realize the potential of the RISE program, a collaborative and comprehensive multi-stakeholder approach is essential. This will enable the integration of RISE initiatives into the Government's framework, helping to alleviate health issues that impact the quality of life for Fijians.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the research conducted by RISE deserves commendation, as it plays a crucial role in facilitating effective wastewater treatment, essential for reducing the spread of waterborne diseases. This research will help identify pathogens and contaminants, leading to improved treatment methods.
The interdisciplinary nature of the RISE program has created new opportunities for the Ministry to enhance the health sector's capacity through stronger collaboration. Notably, the study has resulted in a repository of samples acquired through extensive research, which holds significant potential for further health investigations that could benefit Fiji and beyond.
Once these findings are published and proof of concepts are established, it will be important to engage in comprehensive discussions on how to apply this data for health and environmental studies in partnership with Fiji National University.
Ladies and Gentlemen, our discussions today will focus on exploring best practices, sharing lessons learnt, and highlighting case studies that illustrate how the RISE approach can support Government initiatives in addressing the challenges faced by informal settlement residents.
The goal for this symposium is, to foster collaboration among various stakeholders and lay the groundwork for the inter-agency task force, enhancing the partnership between RISE, Government, and NGO partners.
Fostering collaboration among various stakeholders is essential for addressing the complex challenges posed by informal settlements and ensuring the successful implementation of the RISE program. By bringing together Government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academic institutions, and community representatives, we can create a multi-faceted approach to problem-solving that draws on the diverse expertise and perspectives of all involved.
Our collaboration today should help us identify shared goals where we can create a unified vision for upgrading informal settlements. Understanding common goals such as improving health outcomes, enhancing sanitation and building resilient communities will of course foster a sense of partnership and collective responsibility.
We have with us a diverse group of participants who are here with their wealth of knowledge and unique skills, and this is an opportune time to leverage expertise, and involve community voices.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to encourage everyone to actively participate in the panel discussions and breakout sessions and connect with new colleagues throughout the day to drive meaningful change in the revitalization of informal settlements in Fiji.
Together, we can address the pressing challenges facing our communities and work toward a healthier, and more equitable future for all.
Thank you, Vinaka vakalevu and Dhaanvayaad.