The primary role of disaster risk reduction and disaster management is a shared responsibility that requires effective partnership between all levels of Government and other stakeholders, says the Minister for Transport & Works, Colonel Timoci Natuva.
Launching the National Disaster Awareness Week and the National Disaster Management website, the minister said the adoption of a holistic and integrated ‘whole of Government’ and ‘whole of country’ approach together with the integration of disaster risk reduction and disaster management considerations into national policies, planning processes and decision making at all levels were critical.
“To complement the regional coordinated approach to disaster management, Government introduced in late 2009 the integrated approach to rural and outer island development, which essentially encourages a whole of government approach in disaster risk reduction in development planning,” Colonel Natuva said.
“Statistics show that the country has suffered approximately US$450million in damage from 1985 to 2011 from declared disasters.”
The minister added that Government was mindful and committed to its obligations under the six thematic areas of the Hyogo Framework for Action.
In commending all stakeholders and in particular the Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA) that contributed to the National Disaster Management website, Colonel Natuva said information management was a vital element of disaster risk reduction and disaster management and it was through the joint efforts of the Fijian Government and JICA that enabled the successful completion of the project.
The dedication of the Disaster Awareness Week is marked by the United Nations International Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR), which is October 13.
“The week forms part of the global awareness campaign of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction System to raise awareness of disaster risk reduction, spark public interest and ultimately help prevent, reduce and minimise loss and damage from disasters,” Colonel Natuva said.
“For Fiji the National Disaster Awareness Week, with the theme ‘Making Cities, Towns and Communities Resilient’, will be held in Labasa since activities will be focused around the main centres of the Northern Division.”