Sakiasi Ditoka, the Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, has urged communities to take inspiration from the villages in the Naiyalayala district in Ra regarding disaster preparedness and resilience.
Earlier this week, Ditoka launched a community emergency response team (CERT) training program for five communities in the Naiyalayala district at Togovere Village. He emphasized that by establishing similar initiatives, communities could collectively enhance the nation’s capacity to endure and recover from natural disasters.
“Our shared goal as a nation is to improve community resilience and ensure that our communities are adequately prepared to handle any challenges that may arise,” he stated.
The minister highlighted that the Naiyalayala area has previously faced the harsh impacts of natural disasters, including cyclones, floods, and droughts, which have caused significant disruptions to health, housing, and livelihoods.
Ditoka explained that by increasing awareness and providing education to residents, with the guidance of CERT experts and support from the National Disaster Management Office, the initiative aims to build a community that is not only disaster-ready but also capable of recovering quickly and effectively.
He expressed his sincere appreciation to the people of Naiyalayala for their dedication to this cause. Ditoka also recognized the Fiji Water Foundation for its commitment to supporting communities where its employees reside and work.
“Their dedication to community resilience and empowerment is evident in every project they undertake, including this initiative to enhance community resilience through CERT in the Naiyalayala tikina,” he remarked.
In a statement, the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) noted that the training sessions would align with the nationally adopted community-based disaster risk management manual. The NDMO confirmed that its officers would be present to assist with the CERT training and ensure it meets national standards.