In 2013, Erasito Beca was commissioned to upgrade and design two evacuation centres in Viti Levu, Fiji. Following severe flooding from a tropical cyclone in January 2009, New Zealand pledged to provide support to Fiji National Disaster Management Office seeking to reduce vulnerability and increase preparedness for natural disasters through the provision of appropriate infrastructure. Erasito Beca provided inspection, design, procurement and contract administration services for two new evacuation centre buildings in Viti Levu, Fiji. Key considerations and challenges were designing for Category 4 tropical cyclones, design with low cost yet sustainable building materials and construction methods to meet local conditions and cultural requirements. None of the buildings had access to services such as running water, waste water disposal or power. Erasito Beca’s extensive experience with working in the Islands and remote areas enabled design solutions that are efficient and sustainable.
