FBC Pioneers Disaster Preparedness in the South Pacific

The Fijian Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) has made a significant advancement in disaster management by officially handing over its Resilience Action Plan to the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Disaster Risk Reduction. This move marks FBC as the first broadcaster in the South Pacific to develop a comprehensive Disaster Preparedness and Response Plan (DPRP).

The importance of having such plans was highlighted at the recent Pacific Media Partnership Conference held in Suva, where members underscored that every broadcaster should have a DPRP to enhance disaster preparedness in the media sector. Kamal Kishore, the SRSG for Disaster Risk Reduction, emphasized that broadcasters play a crucial role during disasters by ensuring the public receives timely early warning messages. He stated, “Disaster risk reduction is not just the business of the disaster management office, but everybody’s business,” recognizing FBC’s efforts in embracing resilience-building within its operations.

FBC’s Chief Executive Officer, Tarun Patel, noted that the main goal of the Resilience Action Plan is to safeguard staff while keeping the public informed during disasters. The plan was developed through FBC’s Resilience Committee, chaired by Fabian Randerath, and was a challenging task that began in 2022. They officially launched the plan last year, and its handover to the UN marks a historic moment for media organizations worldwide.

This initiative aligns with the increasing awareness of the need for comprehensive disaster preparedness strategies within the Pacific region, as advocates assert the media’s pivotal role during emergencies. Similar discussions at the recent Pacific Media Partnership Conference have focused on the importance of improving communication methods to ensure effective information dissemination during crises.

Overall, FBC’s development of a Resilience Action Plan is a commendable step towards enhancing disaster preparedness within the Pacific media landscape. This proactive approach not only aims to protect the organization and its employees but also to ensure that the community’s access to vital information remains uninterrupted during times of crisis, fostering a more resilient society as Fiji braces for future challenges posed by climate change and natural disasters.