Government remains committed to meeting continuously with various stakeholders to look at ways of improving disaster management operations.
This was highlighted by the Minister for Local Government Samuela Saumatua today while officially opening the “Shelter Cluster Activities for Tropical Cyclone Evan and Post Disaster Awareness” workshop.
Minister Saumatua reminded participants on the socio economic impacts of natural disasters and its impact to major infrastructure in the country.
He highlighted the nation’s resilience during Cyclone Evan despite the enormity of the damage sustained and said that new lessons should always be incorporated in disaster management.
“Government has decided to form clusters to meet the various areas that needed addressing and in all there were eight clusters formed under the Humanitarian Action Policy which was endorsed by cabinet in December 2012.”
While the workshop looked at challenges and lessons learnt from the last cyclone, it was an opportunity for all stakeholders to collectively look at solutions and future recommendations. At the same time, today’s event provided an opportunity for the Ministry of Local Government to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the 6 cluster groups to further empower Non-governmental Organisations to facilitate places where support is needed.
Stakeholders commended the intentions behind the meetings in light of the impacts that disasters have on the entire nation.
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