Youth Group Raises Alarm Over “Inhumane” Conditions in Nakavika Settlement

A youth-led initiative has brought to light the dire living conditions in Nakavika Settlement, a remote community of over 350 people and 54 households, describing the situation as “conditions no human being should ever face.”

In a statement issued by Abdul Zorhab, the Fiji Coordinator for IPYG Hope and leader of the group, residents of Nakavika were found to be living without basic human necessities: no electricity, no clean water, and no proper sanitation.

“Families rely on pit toilets. Children and the elderly walk through mud and bush due to the absence of footpaths. Homes dangerously share exposed lead wires for electricity, risking fire and electrocution. And marine life—once a lifeline—is vanishing due to damaged seawalls and reefs,” Zorhab said.

The settlement is more than an hour away from the nearest healthcare facility and lacks essential mobility aids for the vulnerable, such as wheelchairs, walkers, and adult diapers.

The group was alerted to the situation by John Rangan, a final-year Fiji National University student and one of its members. In response, they deployed their Psychological First Aid initiative, guided by their “Look, Listen, Link” (LLL) policy.

“We looked at their broken surroundings. We listened to their pain. And now, we are committed to linking this community to the right ministries, stakeholders, and caring individuals,” Zorhab said.

While emphasizing that no false promises were made, he confirmed that the group would begin by providing adult diapers and walkers to the most vulnerable residents.

Zorhab also announced that Nakavika would be part of this month’s Peace Plogging Cleanup and Wellness Drive, organized under IPYG Hope’s youth empowerment campaign.

“We are not political. We are not funded. We are a group of young Fijians registered under the Ministry of Youth and Sports, committed to serving people as a way of serving God,” Zorhab stated.

The group is now calling on the wider public to support their cause—through donations, supplies, and volunteerism.

“We heard the cries of the Turaga ni Koro and the families. Now we ask the people of Fiji to stand with us and ensure no child grows up forgotten,” he added.