Fiji is set to engage with the Asian Disaster Reduction Centre (ADRC) in Japan to enhance its disaster management capabilities. Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Sakiasi Ditoka, made this announcement during bilateral discussions at the Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) in Manila, Philippines.
Ditoka expressed gratitude to the Japanese government for facilitating Fiji’s involvement with the ADRC, highlighting how this initiative will foster capacity building, knowledge sharing, and best practice exchanges to reinforce Fiji’s disaster risk management strategies.
He acknowledged the ongoing support from the Japanese government and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), noting that it has been instrumental in Fiji’s efforts to mitigate the effects of natural disasters and adapt to climate change challenges.
“The valuable insights we have gained from Japan’s extensive risk management practices have significantly influenced our strategies,” Ditoka stated. He emphasized that with Japan’s technical assistance and financial backing, Fiji has fortified its disaster management systems and enhanced community protection.
He also pointed to the recent signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation for the Early Warning Satellite System (EWSS), utilizing Japan’s Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), as a significant advancement. This partnership with Japan’s National Space Policy Secretariat is expected to upgrade Fiji’s early warning systems for tsunamis and other potential threats, enabling faster and more efficient emergency responses.
Ditoka also recognized the collaborative efforts between the governments of Japan and Fiji in addressing geohazards, which include risks related to volcanic activity, earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, and floods.
The Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Project, initiated with JICA’s support, has bolstered Fiji’s ability to incorporate disaster risk reduction into national and local planning. This initiative has empowered the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) to enhance hazard assessments and promote investments in disaster resilience, particularly for the country’s most vulnerable communities.