Fiji is set to enhance its regional collaboration in disaster management by participating in the Asian Disaster Reduction Centre (ADRC) in Japan. Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Sakiasi Ditoka, made this announcement during a bilateral meeting at the Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) held in Manila, Philippines, on Thursday.
Ditoka expressed gratitude to the Government of Japan for facilitating Fiji’s participation in the ADRC, noting that it will pave the way for capacity building, knowledge sharing, and the exchange of best practices to boost disaster risk management efforts in the country.
He acknowledged the ongoing commitment from the Government of Japan and the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to enhance disaster risk management and resilience in Fiji over the years. Ditoka highlighted that this partnership has been crucial in Fiji’s initiatives to mitigate the impact of natural disasters and adapt to climate change.
The minister pointed out that Fiji has strengthened its disaster risk management systems with the technical assistance and financial backing from the Japanese Government and JICA. He also mentioned the recently signed Memorandum of Cooperation for the Early Warning Satellite System (EWSS) utilizing Japan’s Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), describing it as a significant advancement for Fiji. This collaboration aims to enhance Fiji’s early warning capabilities for tsunamis and other hazards, enabling quicker and more effective emergency responses to protect communities from future disasters.
Furthermore, Ditoka acknowledged the joint efforts between Japan and Fiji concerning geohazards-related disasters, which include natural events such as volcanism, earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, and floods, along with associated soil and rock conditions. He highlighted the Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Project, supported by JICA, which has improved Fiji’s capability to incorporate disaster risk reduction strategies in national and local planning. This initiative has empowered the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) to enhance hazard assessments and encourage investments in disaster resilience in the country’s most vulnerable communities.