The Minister for Agriculture, Rural and Maritime Development and National Disaster Management Inia Seruiratu signed a Memorandum of Understanding with his Indonesian counterpart, Willem Rampangilei in Suva yesterday.

Mr Seruiratu thanked the Indonesian delegation for visiting Fiji and being part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two countries on Disaster Risk Management.

The signing of the MOU marks another milestone of bilateral relationship between the Fijian Government and the Indonesian government in addition to the many bilateral accords the two countries had agreed and signed.

“The vulnerability of Fiji to natural hazards is mirrored in the devastating effect of Tropical Cyclone Winston.

“We in collaboration with our overseas counterparts including your government, have managed to stand firmly on our feet and provided the most needed relief assistance to the affected areas,” Mr Seruiratu said.

The MOU entails:

nStrengthening the exchange of knowledge and expertise in prevention and preparedness on disaster risk reduction,

nClimate change adaptation and recovery

nEnhancement of human resources quality through understanding best practices,

nParticipation in joint trainings, workshops and programs related to disaster risk management,

nMutual assistance in cases of natural disaster and

nEngagement in other method of cooperation as mutually agreed in writing by both parties.

In response, the Indonesian Minister, Mr Rampangilei said Fiji and Indonesia share similar climate conditions prone to natural disaster.

“I am happy to say that the MOU marks the beginning of new relationship in the area of disaster relief and management,” Mr Rampangilei said.

He added that Indonesia stands ready to support Fiji in the name of humanity.

Mr Seruiratu said the NDMO team in the next few months is planning to visit the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in Indonesia to learn from the operations and processes and to see the design of their NDMA facility.

Source: DEPTFO News

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