The National Disaster Risk Management Bill (Bill No 6 of 2024), recently approved by Parliament, aims to enhance Fiji’s resilience against disasters. During the parliamentary discussions, Minister for Public Works, Transport and Meteorological Services, Ro Filipe Tuisawau, highlighted the establishment of the National Disaster Risk Management Council, which will include all permanent secretaries and key governmental statutory bodies.
According to Ro Filipe, this council will act as the primary entity responsible for managing disaster risk governance nationwide. He emphasized the critical role of the emergency committee, which will coordinate immediate responses during disasters. Led by the permanent secretary in charge of Disaster Management, this committee aims to provide a quick, effective, and well-organized response to minimize damage and loss resulting from disasters.
The bill also establishes protocols for the registration and oversight of humanitarian organizations and disaster risk management volunteers. Ro Filipe stated that these entities would be recognized through a formal registry, with clearly defined standards to ensure accountability and efficacy in their roles. This framework will enable deregistration of any organization or volunteer group that fails to meet the required standards, thereby upholding the integrity of disaster response efforts.
Moreover, the bill introduces a structured system for eligible actors within a formal registry, ensuring proper recognition and regulation of all entities involved in disaster risk management. Ro Filipe noted that the bill emphasizes disaster risk reduction, detailing the creation of a multi-hazard warning system designed to provide timely alerts to communities.
This section of the bill clarifies the responsibilities of various agencies in issuing warnings, organizing these communications, and establishing the necessary evacuation centers to safeguard the well-being of citizens during emergencies.