Fiji is set to engage with the Asian Disaster Reduction Centre (ADRC) in Japan to bolster its regional disaster management collaboration. Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Sakiasi Ditoka, announced this during a bilateral meeting at the Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) in Manila, Philippines, on Thursday.
Ditoka expressed gratitude to the Japanese government for facilitating Fiji’s participation in the ADRC, highlighting how this partnership will enhance capacity building, knowledge sharing, and exchange of best practices in disaster risk management.
He acknowledged the vital support from both the Japanese government and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in strengthening Fiji’s resilience to natural disasters over the years. “Our partnership has been crucial in our efforts to mitigate the effects of natural hazards and confront the implications of climate change,” Ditoka remarked.
He noted that Japan’s extensive experience in risk management has significantly influenced Fiji’s strategies. Through technical assistance and financial backing from Japan and JICA, Fiji has improved its disaster risk management systems and community protection.
Ditoka highlighted the Memorandum of Cooperation for the Early Warning Satellite System (EWSS) utilizing Japan’s Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), which was signed earlier this year. This agreement signifies a pivotal advancement in transforming Fiji’s early warning systems for tsunamis and other hazards, allowing for quicker and more effective emergency responses.
Additionally, Ditoka recognized the ongoing collaboration between Japan and Fiji concerning geohazards, which include destructive events like earthquakes and floods. He explained that the Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Project, initiated with the help of JICA, has significantly improved Fiji’s ability to incorporate disaster risk reduction into national and local planning efforts. This initiative has empowered the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) to enhance hazard assessments and promote investments in disaster resilience, particularly in vulnerable communities.