Urban sprawl and unplanned development are among visible consequences that millions of urban dwellers are vulnerable to rising sea levels, coastal flooding and climate-related hazards.
Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Local Government, Urban Development, Housing and Environment, Ms Losena Talei Rokotuibau made the disclosure during the launch of the 2010 Fiji National Disaster Awareness Week at Koroivolu Park in Nadi.
She said cities, towns and communities in the Pacific Islands were particularly vulnerable to meteorological and geological related disasters because of their size, remoteness and a range of other environmental demographic and economic factors.
“The World Bank has estimated that, Pacific Island countries incur an annual cost of disaster events of 2 to 7 per cent of GDP (gross domestic product) in both disaster and non-disaster years,” Ms Rokotuibau said.
Deputy Secretary Local Govt, Losana Rokotuibau at the NDAW
Because of the potential economic loss of up to 60 per cent of GDP have been predicted in the event of a 1 in 100 year cyclone affecting a capital city in the pacific.
“It is with these challenges in mind that Fiji’s National Awareness Week takes on the theme of the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction’s (UNISDR) campaign known locally as ‘Making the Pacific Resilient’ – ,” she said.
“Is your community getting ready?”
She said a resilient community had the ability to withstand and recover from effects of a hazard in a timely and efficient manner, the ability to restore and maintain its essential basic structures and functions immediately after a disaster.
“Cities, towns and villages that continue to function with the minimum disruption and casualties after disasters happen are resilient communities,” Ms Rokotuibau said.
Various government departments, stakeholders such as the National Fire Authority, Red Cross Society, Fiji Military Forces, Fiji Police, Ministry of Health, Nadi Town Council, Provincial Development, National Disaster Management Office and students of Nadi Primary school, Nadi Sangam Primary School, Nadi Muslim School, Sangam Sadhy Kuppuswami Memorial College and Nadi District School today witnessed the launching of the National Disaster Awareness Week in Nadi yesterday morning.