29 August 2017

The Institute of Applied Sciences (IAS) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Ra Provincial Office has from August 2017 commenced waste and wastewater management consultations in four communities in the Ra Province. The activities are being implemented as part of the Restoration of Ecosystem Services and Adaptation to Climate Change (RESCCUE) Fiji project that is coordinated by IAS. At Nanukuloa, over 30 participants attended the two-day workshop held  between 28 -30 August and this included four participants from the neighbouring Naiserelagi village. Even though Naiserelagi was not initially part of the waste management activities, the women who attended were eager to learn on how to improve their village waste issues. The second workshop held on 23 – 25 August in Namarai village had 31 participants. In both workshops, IAS’s field officers were very pleased with the participation of women. 

The Health Inspector from the Ministry of Health attended both workshops and discussed detailed updates of the benefits, issues and accompanying health risks arising from poor waste management in the village. For each of the workshops, transect walks, solid and liquid waste issues identification and prioritisation, and community waste management action planning sessions were held. Also attending the workshops were the Roko Tui Ra and the Provincial Conservation Officer of Ra.