Four coastal villages in the Cuvu District of Fiji have garnered international recognition through the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission’s Tsunami Ready Programme, marking a significant achievement in community-driven disaster preparedness. The villages of Cuvu, Yadua, Tore, and Rukurukulevu received their official certification on February 13, after fulfilling 12 essential indicators set by the program.
This recognition is the result of months of collaborative efforts spearheaded by Fiji’s Mineral Resources Department and the National Disaster Risk Management Office, with valuable operational and financial backing from the International Organization for Migration through the Japan-funded Early Warning Systems Project.
In preparation for this certification, over 400 residents took part in a comprehensive tsunami drill that evaluated early warning communications, evacuation procedures, and coordinated responses to emergencies. The community established a temporary emergency operations center at Geckos Resort in Sigatoka to practice national disaster protocols. Additionally, tsunami information signboards have been installed throughout the district to raise awareness and enhance preparedness.
Jiuta Korovulavula, UNESCO Programme Officer for Tsunami Warning and Disaster Risk Reduction, emphasized that this certification is a testament to the enhanced resilience of the community, exceeding mere compliance. “Tsunami Ready is for everyone’s protection, and these four communities have demonstrated their commitment by achieving all required criteria to be certified as Tsunami Ready,” he stated.
Apolosi Lewaqai, the Commissioner for Western Fiji, urged the communities to maintain regular disaster preparedness drills, highlighting the critical need for readiness, especially given that neighboring Pacific nations have faced devastating tsunami events in the past. With this recent accomplishment, Fiji now boasts six Tsunami Ready-certified communities, all located along the Sigatoka coastal corridor, showcasing the country’s ongoing dedication to disaster resilience and community safety.
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