Sakiasi Ditoka, the Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, has urged communities to look to the villages in the Naiyalayala district of Ra as a model for disaster preparedness and resilience.
This past week, Mr. Ditoka inaugurated community emergency response team (CERT) training for five communities in Naiyalayala at Togovere Village. He emphasized that by implementing similar initiatives, communities can enhance the nation’s capacity to face and recover from natural disasters.
“Our common goal is to boost community resilience and ensure that our communities are well-equipped to handle any challenges that may arise,” he stated. He noted that the tikina of Naiyalayala has experienced severe natural disasters, including cyclones, floods, and droughts, which have had detrimental effects on health, housing, and livelihoods.
Mr. Ditoka highlighted that raising awareness and providing knowledge to the residents, with the guidance of CERT and support from the National Disaster Management Office, can help develop a community that is not only prepared for disasters but also able to recover quickly and effectively. He expressed his sincere appreciation to the tikina of Naiyalayala for their dedication to this important cause.
The minister also acknowledged the Fiji Water Foundation for its commitment to supporting the communities where Fiji Water employees reside and work. “Their dedication to community resilience and empowerment is clear in every project, including this CERT initiative in tikina Naiyalayala,” he said.
According to a statement from the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), the training will align with the community-based disaster risk management manual adopted nationally. NDMO officers will be present to assist with the CERT training and ensure it meets national standards.