Sakiasi Ditoka, the Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, has called on other communities to use the villages in the Naiyalayala district of Ra as a model for disaster preparedness and resilience.
During his visit to Togovere Village in Ra yesterday, Ditoka launched Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training for five communities in the Naiyalayala area. He emphasized the importance of such initiatives in enhancing the nation’s ability to withstand and recover from natural disasters.
The Tikina Naiyalayala Development Committee, along with the Fiji Water Foundation and the US-based CERT, partnered to implement this initiative after identifying the need for a robust disaster preparedness strategy.
Ditoka noted that the Naiyalayala area has faced substantial challenges from cyclones, floods, and droughts, which have affected residents’ livelihoods, housing, and health. “As a country, we aim to bolster community resilience and ensure that our communities are ready to tackle any challenges that arise,” he stated.
The training being provided, supported by the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), is intended to complement the national Community-Based Disaster Risk Management Manual. NDMO officers will assist in ensuring the training meets national standards.
The main objectives of this partnership are to equip the community with tools to respond to emergencies, enhance local volunteers’ skills in emergency response and disaster management, and empower leadership within the community to take charge during crises.
Ditoka expressed gratitude to the Tikina Naiyalayala for their commitment to this initiative and highlighted the Fiji Water Foundation’s ongoing efforts to support the communities where its employees reside. The Foundation’s projects aim to bolster community resilience through initiatives like CERT in Tikina Naiyalayala, reaffirming their focus on empowerment and resilience.
With the guidance of CERT and support from the NDMO, this program will foster disaster resilience and strengthen the community’s ability to recover swiftly from emergencies.