The World Meteorological Day provides a platform to understand and appreciate the critical role of national meteorological and hydrological services in society's safety and well-being.
Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Inia Seruiratu highlighted this in his remarks at the WMD celebration in Ba yesterday (23/03/22).
With the theme “Early Warning and Early Actions”, the Ministry, through the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) and the Fiji Meteorological Services (FMS) came to a consensus to focus this year’s celebrations on flooding due to the multiple flooding events that took place during the current cyclone season.
“With the rapid changes in climatic conditions worldwide, communities face the risk of disasters like never before, however, effective early warning systems have proven to save both lives and properties. The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction has suggested that death tolls from disasters have declined primarily due to the implementation and maintenance of early warning systems and disaster preparedness activities,” Minister Seruiratu said.
Minister Seruiratu highlighted some of the initiatives undertaken by the Government to enhance early warning systems in Fiji to promote better preparedness and rapid response. These included the coordination with the Mineral Resources Department for tsunami warnings and evacuation notices, the installation of simplified early warning systems at the community level, coordination with Fiji Met for cyclone and flood warnings and dissemination of public advisories for preparedness, impact-based forecasting for informing response planning for cyclones and slow-onset hazards and the coordination and collaboration with civil society organisations including Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS) who work with their district council of social services (DCOSS) to collate community observation reports.
“Disaster Risk Reduction requires a multi-hazard approach and inclusive risk-informed decision-making combined with enough advocacy on understanding risks associated with hazards and how to cope with it. While the installation of an early warning system is critical for early action, educating people on how it serves its purpose is equally important. The NDMO has been conducting Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction trainings in collaboration with line Government Ministries and NGOs (non-Government organisations) through the recently launched Community Based Disaster Risk Management Manual,” Minister Seruiratu said.
Speaking during the celebration, Minister for Infrastructure and Meteorological Services, Jone Usamate said one of the compelling priorities at the Fiji Meteorological Service was to protect lives and livelihoods from weather, climate and water-related disasters, every day, all day.
Today, he said, was a day to also celebrate the great achievements of the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services in improved early warning systems.
“Weather, climate and water extremes are becoming more frequent and intense in many parts of the world as a result of our changing climate. More of us are vulnerable and exposed than ever before due to multiple related hazards, which is evolving due to population growth, urbanisation and environmental degradation,” Minister Usamate said.
He said in light of this, FMS had a major stake in providing timely, accurate and responsive early warning information which would lead to early action.
“The forecast of what the weather can be is no longer enough. Impact-based forecasts that inform the public on what the weather will do are vital to saving lives and livelihoods and this is a new initiative in which FMS with its partners are working towards. That is needed to enhance the preparedness and early action of communities and everyone that depends on the weather.”
“At this juncture, I would also like to stress the importance of using early warning information to prepare, plan and make good decisions before a disaster at all levels – be it the community, private sector, non-governmental organisation, government agencies and disaster managers. Similarly, greater coordination between national meteorological and hydrological services, disaster management authorities and development agencies is fundamental to better prevention, preparedness and response.”
“Being prepared and able to act at the right time, in the right place, can save many lives and protect the livelihoods of communities everywhere, both now and in the future. Early warnings work. They must work for everyone. They must lead to early action.”
Yesterday’s celebration brought together stakeholders who also used the event as an opportunity to raise awareness on critical issues relating to weather, climate and disaster risk reduction measures currently being undertaken by Government.