The National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) is actively enhancing its collaboration with municipalities, with a focus on those particularly vulnerable to flooding, to develop robust disaster risk management plans. This initiative stems from the recently amended National Disaster Management Office Act, which now requires Municipal Councils to create localized disaster risk management strategies.
Acting Director Napolioni Boseiwaqa highlighted that the revised Act grants local authorities new powers to address natural hazards, including flooding, in a more organized and proactive manner. “Part of the new requirements under the revised Act is the establishment of Municipality Emergency Operations Centers, along with Municipal Disaster Risk Management plans,” he stated, indicating that collaborative efforts are already underway with councils facing natural hazard challenges.
Local authorities are encouraged to present project proposals to receive assistance in crafting these strategic plans. A previous success was the endorsement of the Western Division Disaster Risk Reduction plan, supported by JICA, which involved developing specific disaster risk reduction plans for Nadi and Ba, with intentions to extend similar efforts to other municipalities.
An essential aspect of this initiative is the introduction of a Disaster Risk Management Fund, which will provide financial backing for activities aimed at reducing the risks of disasters before they occur. This new financial mechanism illustrates the government’s commitment to not only preparing for disasters but also minimizing their impacts on affected communities.
This focus on enhancing disaster risk management comes in the context of ongoing efforts by the NDMO and other organizations to engage communities actively in disaster preparedness. Notably, similar initiatives are taking place, such as the recent National Disaster Awareness Week, which emphasizes the significance of educating communities, particularly the younger generation, on disaster risk reduction.
The NDMO’s collaborative approach highlights the importance of community involvement and empowerment in building resilience against inevitable natural disasters, ultimately fostering a prepared and aware populace ready to tackle future challenges.
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