A newly refurbished disaster preparedness warehouse for the Northern Division was commissioned by the Minister for Rural, Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Inia Seruiratu at Vatunibale Depot in Labasa.

The warehouse facility was destroyed by Tropical Cyclone Yasa in December last year.

Mr Seruiratu thanked the New Zealand Government for the monetary support which enabled them to complete the refurbishment works at the Commissioner Northern’s warehouse.

He said the warehouse would provide the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) with a new staff facility to accommodate and cater for their essential needs during disaster events.

“The warehouse would also act as a storage space and a secured resource management centre during emergency and disaster situations,” he said.

He said they would preposition disaster resource assets in these facilities to respond early to natural disasters and provide timely assistance to communities affected.

New Zealand High Commission to Fiji

Meanwhile, First Secretary from the New Zealand High Commission for the Development and Disaster Management, Christine Conway, said the initiative was a commitment between the two countries in mitigating disaster events.

Ms Convey said they provided $1million to the Fijian Government to repair and refurbish the Commissioner’s warehouse and 14 health centres under the Ministry of Health and Medical Services based in the North.

“We would continue to provide another $4million to NDMO starting next year, to support disaster response, recovery and risk mitigation in Fiji,” she added.

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