SUVA, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Finding affordable housing opportunities in urban centers in Fiji has increased in recent years as informal settlements are growing.

According to Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (FBC), Revitalization of Informal Settlements and Environment (RISE) Program Coordinator Isoa Vakarewa said on Tuesday that their findings over the past three years indicated that the growth of informal settlements has posed a risk to the environment.

He said that as part of their pilot project, they have identified 12 informal settlements within the Suva-Nausori corridor where they will be improving waste management system, sanitation, and hygiene. Some of these informal settlements still do not have proper water supply and electricity.

Vakarewa said that these settlements in urban centers and part of the centralized sanitation facilities are not connected, therefore, their waste is not treated which puts a lot of risk to the environment surrounding these informal settlements.

RISE has also noted a 25 percent decrease in their community engagement since March this year due to the COVID-19 restrictions imposed by the Fijian government. However, the teams are all geared up to make up to implement the community code design plans at identified settlements.

The Fijian government said earlier that it is committed to addressing urbanization concerns through integrated planning, strengthening urban governance and balancing rural and urban developments. Enditem

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