Fiji - Enhancing capacity for improving design and construction of single-story houses and schools for climate and disaster risk

Context and objectives

Fiji was hit by category 5 Tropical Cyclone Winston in February 2016, the strongest cyclone in the country's history. The total estimated damage was over US$700 million (FJD 1,517 million), approximately 20 percent of Fiji’s 2014 gross domestic production, with the housing sector damage estimated to be US$350 million (FJD 752 million), or approximately half of the total damage.

This project aimed to provide technical assistance to the relevant Ministries and institutions in Fiji to help prepare guidelines for the implementation of its current National Building Code (NBC) for new single-story residential houses and single-story schools located in rural areas.

Main activities and results

• Component 1: Supported the development of guidelines, awareness and training material for climate and disaster resilient single-story residential housing. Activities within this component focused on collating the material developed by the Government of Fiji and other stakeholders for strengthening houses following TC Winston and the good practices from other Pacific islands for single-story homes to develop a set of guidelines that include practical solutions and illustrations.
• Component 2: Activities within this component helped develop a set of guidelines with illustrations and material for design and construction of schools.

In Fiji, the government finalized the preparation of guidelines for the implementation of the National Building Code. These guidelines which were developed by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport are specifically designed for new single-story residential houses and single-story schools located in rural areas to be climate resilient. 

Key national stakeholders were involved in this process, including iTaukei Affairs which creates a link between Fiji’s local communities and the government. In addition, the Construction Industry Council - a key body in Fiji’s building industry – provided support for a nation-wide outreach on the newly-agreed guidelines. In addition, several trainings were organized, and outreach material developed for local communities to ensure the dissemination of these new guidelines.

Project activities were aligned with the $63 million World Bank Second Fiscal Sustainability and Climate Resilience Development Policy Operation in Fiji which was approved by the World Bank Board in October 2019 and supports the government’s effort to strengthen medium‐term fiscal sustainability, improve the investment climate, and build climate resilience.

Partnerships and coordination

The project was implemented by the World Bank in close collaboration with the Government of Fiji and particularly the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism, the Ministry of Education, the Heritage and Arts, and the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development, Disaster Management and Meteorological Services.

Useful link

The "Guidelines for improving building safety and resilience for new single story houses and schools in rural areas of Fiji" can be found here.