Fiji is in a better position to survive category three and five cyclones, says the Minister for Disaster Management, Sakiasi Ditoka.

As the country moves into the cyclone season, Mr Ditoka said response efforts have been effectively placed.

“We are now much better organised,” he said.

Procedures, policies and strategies in place

“Our procedures, policies and strategies are in place to ensure that we can tackle category three to five cyclones. Our warehouses, stock piling of non-food items, and response strategies, in conjunction with our donor partners and the corporate sector, such as Punjas Limited, are having discussions about how we could use their network and their distribution centres and systems in case of disasters.”

Mr Ditoka said three levels of training had been conducted as a collective commitment by Government to enhance the country’s resilience across all levels of disaster response.

He said $1 million in funding from the National Disaster ManagementInstitute (NDMI) of Korea contributed to the installation of flood early warning systems.

The system has been installed in vulnerable communities within the Ba catchment area.

“The NDMO handed over the Construction of Forecasting and Warning System for Disaster Risk Reduction in Fiji Project, which saw the installation of flood early warning systems, encompassing four rainfall stations, seven water level stations, and six warning posts,” he said.

Minister
for Disaster Management, Sakiasi
Ditoka.

More than 1000 evacuation centres have been made available around the country.

“The four divisional commissioners are working with their respective provincial administrators and district officers to assess identified evacuation centres within their divisions,” he said.

“This Government’s capability ensures that we don’t overburden officials during response efforts and allows us to effectively deploy officers who share a common understanding and can work cohesively as a team.

“I strongly urge you all to prioritise the readiness of your communities.

Your proactive involvement can be a lifeline for the most vulnerable members of your respective communities.

“It is our collective responsibility as Fijians to pay close attention to these alerts, as they are issued in advance to prevent accidents and, most importantly, to save lives.

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