The original Fijian village of Vunidogoloa is abandoned. Houses, now dilapidated, remain overgrown with vegetation. Remnants of an old seawall built to protect the village is a stark reminder of what climate change can do to a community’s home.
Our research documents the experiences and outcomes of relocation for two of these Fijian communities—Vunidogoloa and Denimanu. The relocation was originally set for 2012 but, after delays, the entire village moved roughly 1.5 kilometers inland two years later. This is often recognized as the first ever village in Fiji to relocate from climate change.
These homes were rebuilt roughly 500 meters from the original site on a hill slope. With the remaining houses still standing on the original site, the village was only partially moved. But in Denimanu, where the relocated villagers live on a slope, fears of coastal threats have now been replaced by a fear of potential landslides. This is especially concerning as the village’s primary school was recently destroyed by a nearby landslide.We were delighted with the move to the new houses, but we were still worried about the landslide because the houses were on the hill and we know this place.
While relocating communities to safer, less exposed areas is one option to help people manage climate hazards, it’s not a viable solution for all those affected.