National disaster management topped the agenda during a meeting between the Permanent Secretary for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Mr. David Kolitagane and New Zealand High Commissioner to Fiji, His Excellency Mr. Jonathan Curr.
Mr Curr paid a courtesy visit to Mr Kolitagane this week to discuss a number of issues relating to disaster management in the country and response efforts undertaken by Government following the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Harold earlier in the year, the review of the National Disaster Management Act, challenges faced by Government in the distribution of relief supplies donated by New Zealand relief supplies and other issues.
Speaking during the meeting, Mr Kolitagane thanked the NZ Government for their support towards the Ministry, the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) and Government as a whole.
On the review of the NDM Act, Mr Kolitagane assured His Excellency that the NDMO team was currently working with key stakeholders on the final drafting process. PS Kolitagane said the Ministry wanted a thorough review done because the Act was a very practical document.
Mr Curr was also provided an update from Mr Kolitagane and his team about some of the lessons learnt from response efforts during TC Harold and previous cyclones and the distribution of relief supplies.
Mr Kolitagane highlighted that a report on TC Harold was tabled by NDMO during the meeting of the National Disaster Management Council two weeks ago. He said the report contained the breakdown of all aid in cash and in-kind given towards the Fijian Government during TC Harold, the proposed housing support and details on all operations undertaken and assistance received by Government.
He also briefed the High Commissioner on the collaboration between the Ministry and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on the development of a 10-year Resilient Strategic Development Plan.
In his remarks during the meeting, Mr Curr said they were keen to join the Ministry or NDMO on any monitoring and evaluation opportunities to see what had been achieved through assistances provided by the NZ Government.
High Commissioner Curr has also expressed the NZ Government’s support towards the work carried out by the Ministry and the NDMO.