Fiji

Context at a glance

Local volunteers work on the framing of a Habitat house

Fiji is one of the first nations to see the morning sun each day. The island group in the South Pacific, about two-thirds of the way between Hawaii and New Zealand, comprises 332 separate islands. One third are inhabited.

Endowed with forest, mineral, and fish resources, Fiji is one of the most developed of the Pacific island economies, and a hub serving many small island nations. The economy is improving after problems caused by political and ethnic tension between the majority Fijian and minority Indian populations in the 1990s. But chronic underinvestment, underemployment and concerns over government finances are still a problem.

In the housing sector, uncertain land rights are an issue as well as distinct rural and urban challenges. Fiji is frequently hit by extreme weather, especially hurricanes. Homes are often swept away by resultant strong winds and floods. This has spurred a switch to more solid wooden and concrete homes rather than traditional shelters made of easy-to-replace reeds and wood. But in rural areas, traditional materials are still common and every major storm is followed by a need for repairs and rebuilding. Many villagers rely on government aid, which is not always forthcoming.

Urban areas are expanding fast as people move to the towns in search of better opportunities, especially for their children. A tradition of bringing large extended families into towns creates overcrowding, squatting and poverty.

Habitat for Humanity programme

Habitat for Humanity Fiji was registered in 1991, and the programme began two years later. Today the national office is in the capital Suva and the only country affiliate is located in Vunaca.

At the beginning of 2004, HFH Fiji concentrated on building two types of homes. One comprises a single bedroom, living room, kitchen, shower room and toilet. The second is larger with a second bedroom. Houses are made of concrete block walls and cement floors with corrugated iron roofs. Occasionally, stilts are used for elevated houses. Five to ten family members normally occupy a 9 x 5.4m two-bedroom house, as it is common in Fiji for extended families to live together. It takes around three weeks to construct a Habitat house.

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