Fiji will 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, made this announcement during a bilateral meeting 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 in the ADRC, which he believes will lead to improved capacity building, knowledge sharing, and the exchange of best practices in disaster risk management. He acknowledged the unwavering support from Japan and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in bolstering disaster risk management and resilience efforts in Fiji.
He noted that the partnership has been crucial in helping Fiji mitigate the impacts of natural disasters and adapt to climate change challenges. The minister highlighted that the lessons learned from Japan’s robust risk management practices have significantly influenced Fiji’s strategies.
Thanks to the technical assistance and financial support from Japan, Fiji has enhanced its disaster risk management systems, improving the protection of communities. Ditoka emphasized the importance of the Memorandum of Cooperation for the Early Warning Satellite System (EWSS), which utilizes Japan’s Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS). He called this agreement a transformative advancement that will enhance Fiji’s early warning systems for tsunamis and other hazards, allowing for quicker and more effective emergency responses.
Ditoka also pointed out the ongoing collaboration between Japan and Fiji regarding geohazards, which include destructive phenomena such as volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, and floods. He described the Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Project supported by JICA, which has helped Fiji integrate disaster risk reduction into national and local planning processes. This initiative has empowered the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) to improve hazard assessments and foster investments in disaster resilience, particularly in vulnerable communities.