Ministry ready for cyclone season, says Ditoka

The Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management has assured Fijians it is prepared to respond quickly to any disasters during the approaching cyclone season.

Minister Sakiasi Ditoka said the ministry prepares year-round and has prepositioned supplies strategically placed around Fiji for rapid deployment.

“All throughout the year, we prepare ourselves," Mr Ditoka said today.

“The prepositioned non-food items that we place all around Fiji as well, that’s in place. So, if something happens, we very easily and very quickly respond.”

The cyclone season runs from November to April, with the Fiji Meteorological Service forecasting one to two tropical cyclones to pass through Fiji's waters this season.

Mr Ditoka said October marks National Disaster Awareness Week when the ministry intensifies preparedness efforts.

“In October, we have our National Disaster Awareness Week. We get everybody up online,” he said.

“But before that, we build up towards it. We do our community-based disaster risk management training, and all those sorts of trainings that we roll out into the communities, both those that we push out and those that are requested.”

Mr Ditoka said the ministry tries to ensure all communities are prepared through various training programmes.

“So, we try to get everybody online,” Mr Ditoka said.

The newly commissioned MV Colata workboat will play a critical role in disaster response for Lau province, delivering emergency supplies and transporting assessment teams to affected communities.

The $342,000 vessel was commissioned yesterday at the Royal Yacht Club in Walu Bay and will serve scattered islands in Lau that are particularly vulnerable during cyclone season.

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