By Josepheen Tarianga
The Vanuatu Red Cross Society (VRCS) is willing to raise the voices of the vulnerable to the relevant authorities, as evictions have the potential to raise conflicts.
The Secretary General (SG) of the VRCS, Dickinson Tevi, states that the VRCS was asked to assist in the first eviction at the MCI area that held about 100 households. Some of the displaced families moved to the Erangorango area and are now at risk of being evicted again.
“These evictions are happening so frequently and create the potential for conflict,” Mr. Tevi said.
The VRCS has assisted in both recent evictions, working in collaboration with the SHEFA Provincial Government Council.
According to the SG, VRCS conducted a rapid assessment at the MCI eviction to find what resources were needed, identify the immediate needs and provided tarpaulins and jerry cans to the affected families.
“The assessments showed that the people living in the evicted areas had ways to move during the eviction but not fast enough, so they need tarps to cover their belongings,” he explained.
“Jerry cans were needed as they had no access to clean water in the areas they were moving to so the jerry cans were essential to help them keep water for cooking and bathing.”
These recent evictions were raised at the Pacific Islands International Humanitarian law roundtable this week. In relation to climate change and its effects, the discussion followed the talk of evictions happening presently and volcanic activity on Tanna. Mr. Tevi flagged the evictions as a continuing human disaster that is an issue in Vanuatu at present.
The SG proposed that VRCS is willing to talk with the chiefs as Vanuatu land is under custom ownership.
“We will share the eyewitness recounts of what VRCS witnessed when aiding the evicted people,” he said.
“Having the dialogue with the chiefs, an open dialogue is a start to dealing with these issues, with the relevant authorities.”
VRCS is looking to represent the voice of the disadvantaged before the relevant authorities as it feels this is one of its roles.
“This is taking a step towards the solution, VRCS will not interfere with the court’s decision but it is willing to raise the voice of the vulnerable,” SG Tevi concluded.