Concern over the safety of girls, women, and children taking refuge in cyclone-evacuation centres in Fiji is high, after a 10-year-old girl was allegedly raped in Vanua Levu last week.

Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre Coordinator, Shamima Ali, is calling for a safe space to be created in evacuation centres by the stakeholders overseeing them, to meet the needs of women, girls and children living there.

She says the vulnerability of young girls, children, women, people with disabilities and the LGBTI community doubles during and after a natural disaster, such as Cyclone Yasa last month.

Social issues faced in evacuation centres should not be left aside, she said.

To prevent these types of incidents, Ms Ali said government and first responders should be educated about gender-based violence (GBV).

“Our first responders should now be trained to deal with this situation, they should know what to look out for, and whether it’s governmental or non-governmental, we should have child protection and the protection of women and girls within the evacuation centres and during emergencies.”

Ms Ali criticized government and development agencies for “reacting every time something happens” and queried whether copies of the Code of Conduct, developed for first responders during natural disasters following TC Winston in 2016, were distributed.

At the evacuation centres, men and women are often put together in one room and “this is when it becomes very unsafe for the women”.

Some evacuation centres don’t provide basic necessities such as food, water, toiletries, sanitary items and sleeping essentials.

“Sometimes the washrooms and bathrooms at many evacuation centers do not have doors, the locks are not working and the louver blades are missing from the windows,” said Ms Ali.

“It should not only be about providing shelter so that people are safe from a natural disaster. We need to make evacuation centres safe first before putting people in them.”

“There are bigger social ills and crimes that needs to be prevented from happening in evacuation centers.”

Those visiting TC Yasa affected areas, including Ministers, Members of Parliament, development officers and NGO representatives have been urged not to touch children without the permission of their parents or unless they are hurt.

“By doing this, you are...not setting a good example.”

“Also stop using children for photo opportunities and do not increase their trauma. When you take supplies into the communities, don’t try to be photographed with it. Think about the people’s trauma. They are going through a lot.”

She urged politicians and aid distributors, “If you are just going there to get some mileage for yourself, please do not do it. Don’t take pictures unless they are for official use, showing the extent of the damage, etc.”

People are also urged to dress appropriately while visiting TC Yasa affected areas and to be mindful of the traditional and cultural protocols.

“It’s high time for government to stop working in isolation and get all stakeholders that have the expertise to work together to ensure the safety of our people during and after a natural disaster,” she said.