The FIJI Water Foundation, one of Fiji’s prominent philanthropic organizations, has announced the initiation of its Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training today. This program aims to bolster community resilience to natural disasters and is being launched in partnership with the Tikina Naiyalayala Development Committee.
At the launch event, Sakiasi Ditoka, the Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, emphasized the importance of disaster preparedness amid the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters worldwide. He noted that Fiji has faced over 15 cyclones in the past decade alone, impacting more than 200,000 individuals and resulting in damages estimated at FJD $2 billion.
Ditoka praised the FIJI Water Foundation for its ongoing commitment to community empowerment and resilience, highlighting that collaborative efforts are essential for creating meaningful change. The Tikina Naiyalayala community, known for its rich cultural heritage, has experienced significant challenges from natural disasters, including cyclones, floods, and droughts, which have affected health, housing, and livelihoods.
The introduction of this comprehensive disaster preparedness strategy is expected to strengthen the nation’s capacity for resilient recovery during and after catastrophic events. Semi Lotawa, Director of the FIJI Water Foundation, expressed pride in supporting the CERT initiative, which will equip communities with a detailed disaster management framework.
Lotawa stated that the CERT program is designed to empower six neighboring villages in the Naiyalayala district with essential skills for fostering cooperation and implementing sustainable practices that contribute to long-term disaster risk reduction and improve the overall wellbeing of people in Fiji.
Joseph Naivalulevu from Rabulu Village remarked on the significance of the training, noting that the six villages are home to over 600 households and often face isolation. He emphasized that this training will enhance the skills of local youth and empower communities to take proactive measures during disasters.
Ditoka encouraged other communities to look to Tikina Naiyalayala as a model for disaster preparedness, which could enhance the nation’s capacity to endure and recover from future natural disasters.
The FIJI Water Foundation operates as a division of The Wonderful Company, a privately held enterprise valued at USD $6 billion, founded by philanthropists Lynda and Stewart Resnick. The couple has generously contributed over USD $2.5 billion toward philanthropic and corporate social responsibility initiatives worldwide, focusing on issues such as education, health, housing, infrastructure, the arts, and sustainability to make a positive impact in Fiji, California’s Central Valley, and beyond. Since its establishment in 2007, the FIJI Water Foundation has invested more than FJD $35 million in various community development projects, including safe water access, education, health, and environmental sustainability.