Fiji is set to join the Asian Disaster Reduction Centre (ADRC) in Japan to enhance its regional collaboration in disaster management. 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) held in Manila, Philippines, on Thursday.
Minister Ditoka expressed appreciation to the Japanese government for facilitating Fiji’s ADRC participation, highlighting the opportunities for capacity building, knowledge sharing, and the exchange of best practices that will strengthen the nation’s disaster risk management efforts.
He acknowledged Japan and the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for their ongoing support in enhancing disaster risk management and resilience in Fiji over the years. Ditoka emphasized that this partnership has been crucial in mitigating the impacts of natural hazards and addressing challenges brought about by climate change, with lessons learned from Japan significantly influencing Fiji’s strategies.
Fiji has improved its disaster risk management systems and community safety thanks to technical assistance and financial backing from the Japanese government and JICA. He noted that the recently signed Memorandum of Cooperation for the Early Warning Satellite System (EWSS), utilizing Japan’s Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), marks a significant advancement. This collaboration aims to revolutionize Fiji’s early warning systems for tsunamis and other emergencies, allowing for quicker and more effective responses to safeguard communities from future disasters.
Minister Ditoka also highlighted the continuing cooperation between Japan and Fiji concerning geohazard-related disasters, which include threats posed by volcanic activity, earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, and floods. He mentioned that JICA’s support for the Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Project has significantly bolstered Fiji’s ability to incorporate disaster risk reduction into both national and local planning frameworks. This initiative has empowered the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) to enhance hazard assessments and encourage investments in disaster resilience, particularly in the nation’s most vulnerable communities.