As Fiji approaches its cyclone season, which runs from November to April, Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Sakiasi Ditoka, has highlighted the critical need for household preparedness. The Fiji Meteorological Service has forecasted that during the 2024-25 cyclone season, one to two tropical cyclones may affect Fiji’s Exclusive Economic Zone, with a potential for zero to one cyclone reaching severe levels classified as Category 3 or above.
Minister Ditoka emphasized that while government agencies are enhancing their readiness for potential disasters, it is equally vital for households to ensure they are adequately prepared. “Please ensure your families are well equipped for the cyclone season,” he urged, as he noted the growing threat of climate-related disasters and their impact on communities.
He called for a strategic integration of youth into disaster risk reduction frameworks, acknowledging that these climate events disproportionately affect younger generations. “The rising frequency of disasters exacerbated by climate change poses long-lasting consequences for our children, disrupting their education, nutrition, and healthcare,” he remarked.
To safeguard the future of Fiji’s youth, Ditoka stressed the necessity of including their needs in disaster preparedness strategies. He referenced the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, which advocates for the empowerment and active participation of children and youth in forming these strategies.
By nurturing and educating young people, Ditoka believes they can emerge as key players in their communities, equipped to take proactive measures against disasters. This notion is particularly pertinent as Fiji enhances its early warning systems in alignment with the UN Secretary-General’s Early Warnings for All initiative.
In summary, the call for local preparedness in Fiji is a proactive step towards mitigating the impact of cyclones, while empowering the youth contributes to creating resilient communities capable of handling crisis situations. The government’s focus on education and involvement of young people is a hopeful approach that can lead to significant positive changes in disaster management.
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