MINISTER DITOKA’S STATEMENT DURING THE PRESS CONFERENCE – 2023-2024 CYCLONE SEASON

Bula Vinaka and Good Afternoon Members of the Media,
 
Today marks the commencement of a significant period on our annual calendar as we usher in the 2023-2024 Cyclone Season. The release of the 2023-2024 Tropical Cyclone Seasonal Outlook by the Fiji Meteorological Services is a crucial milestone, offering us a glimpse into what lies ahead. During this cyclone season, it has been forecasted that we can expect 2 to 3 tropical cyclones to traverse Fiji's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), with the possibility of 1 to 2 of them intensifying into severe cyclones, categorized as Category 3-5. This data is not just numbers and predictions; it is a vital tool that will guide our planning and preparedness efforts for the next six months.
As your Minister responsible for disaster management, I wish to emphasise the importance of utilising this information wisely. The general public, communities, households, and individuals should take heed of this outlook to ensure they are well-prepared for this new cyclone season. Preparedness is not a task that can be deferred; it is a responsibility we share to protect our loved ones and our communities.
Please allow me at this juncture to provide you with a few updates on work we have undertaken to enhance our preparedness endeavors:

NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT COUNCIL (NDMC) MEETING
 
As Chair of the National Disaster Management Council (NDMC), I convened a meeting of the NDMC in September to discuss a number of issues as part of our overall preparation for this new cyclone season. These included the successful National Disaster Awareness Week (NDAW) which we hosted two weeks ago, the Anticipatory Action for the Fiji Cluster System, the recent induction training for Fiji’s first-ever National Emergency Response Team (NERT), flood early warning system in the Western Division; and the After Action Review (AAR) for the deployments to Vanuatu and New Zealand.
 
Following the meeting, we continued working with all Council members, stakeholders, and partners to ensure we are collectively prepared for future disasters.
 
OPERATIONAL READINESS CHECK [ORC]
 
The Ministry is presently conducting our Operational Readiness Check (ORC) for all Emergency Operation Centers (EOCs), equipment, and facilities in the four divisions. Currently, we have completed 30% of our operational checks for evacuation centers and emergency operation centers, and the Commissioners have been instructed to complete all assessments by this Friday. While this is taking place at the sub-national level, we are also conducting a similar check at the national level involving other Government Ministries and disaster practitioners in Fiji.
 
The Operational Readiness Check also assesses the systems that are required for effective response operations such as:

 
All data obtained from this Operational Readiness Check (ORC) will serve as a baseline for us to assess, evaluate, and enhance Fiji's preparedness for any emergency situation. This, in turn, will significantly contribute to the safety and well-being of our community. Therefore, I would like to make a renewed request to all disaster practitioners in Fiji to kindly update your information using the online survey forms that have been shared on our social media platforms. The deadline for completing this ORC is this Friday.
 
PREPOSITION OF KEY STRATEGIC ASSETS
As part of our longstanding and essential protocol during any cyclone season, the Ministry has been diligently prepositioning key strategic assets to divisional warehouses. This proactive measure ensures that critical resources and equipment are readily available in the event of a cyclone or any disaster. These assets are strategically distributed across the four divisional warehouses to ensure efficient and effective disaster response.
I am pleased to confirm that this practice is well underway, and we are making significant efforts to further enhance our capabilities. The ongoing prepositioning of assets is a testament to our commitment to preparedness and resilience-building. By continually bolstering our stockpiles and optimising their distribution, we aim to minimise response times and provide swift assistance to communities in need.
Last week, I visited one of our key corporate partners - Punjas Factory in Lautoka as part of our stakeholders' engagement to discuss their state of readiness and response as we head into this new cyclone season. Punjas and a few other companies are usually engaged by the Government for the provision of relief supplies during the disaster period if required.
 
FLOOD EARLY WARNING SYSTEM
 
Fiji is situated in a region prone to various environmental hazards, including cyclones, floods, earthquakes, and tsunamis, and these natural calamities have, over the years, brought about devastating consequences, prompting the Fiji Government to prioritise disaster preparedness and mitigation efforts.
 
Last week, thanks to a funding support of $1 million from the National Disaster Management Research Institute (NDMI) of Korea, the NDMO was officially handed over the “Construction of Forecasting and Warning System for Disaster Risk Reduction in Fiji” Project which saw the installation of flood early warning systems, encompassing 4 rainfall stations, 7 water level stations, and 6 warning posts in vulnerable communities located within the Ba Province catchment area.
 
One significant challenge we faced in the past was the absence of a flood early warning system at the community level. This often led to people being stranded in their homes during flooding events or taking risks to reach safe areas. Additionally, the lack of such a system puts the lives of first responders at risk, particularly during evacuation or search and rescue operations. This newly installed Flooding early warning system will address this challenge by providing the community with its own early warning system. We also plan to extend this project to other divisions, especially those residing in flood-prone areas.
 
ANTICIPATORY ACTION
 
Fiji is the first country in the region to initiate a pilot program for anticipatory action in collaboration with the United Nations. This program is designed to prevent and mitigate the immediate impact of forecasted unusual tropical cyclones in Fiji. The primary goal of this project is to assess the feasibility of anticipatory action in Fiji and work towards establishing it as a regular operational approach in the country.
 
UN OCHA has confirmed pre-arranged funding from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) of up to US$2 million if specific pre-agreed triggers for unusual events occur. The Fiji Cluster System has made significant efforts to put this support mechanism in place. The anticipatory action framework was developed and approved during the National Disaster Management Council meeting in August.
 
I would like to emphasize that these actions will not undermine community resilience; instead, they will complement existing efforts and ensure that measures are taken to minimize loss of lives and reduce the exposure to impacts in the aftermath of a disaster.
 
EVACUATION CENTERS
 
We have over 1,000 Evacuation Centres (ECs) that play a fundamental role in managing the impacts of natural disasters by offering emergency shelter(s) from the worst impacts of disasters. The Ministry has a list of Evacuation Centres which is normally updated by Provincial Administrators and District Officers before the commencement of a cyclone season. At the moment, the four Divisional Commissioners are diligently working with their respective Provincial Administrators and District Officers to conduct an assessment of all identified ECs within their divisions.
 
We are actively collaborating with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that these designated Evacuation Centers (ECs) are suitable for use should the need arise during this cyclone season. In the past, we have retrofitted certain Evacuation Centers and plan to continue doing so to enhance community-level resilience.
 
COMMUNITY BASE DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT TRAINING
 
Over the past few months, we have collaborated with our Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to conduct training on disaster risk reduction at the community level. This training empowers communities to be better prepared in the event of a disaster. They learn life-saving techniques and establish their own emergency committees to lead response efforts at their level. We have also provided them with basic first responder equipment. As we speak, a team is presently in Vanuabalavu in Lau to conduct similar training. I cannot stress enough that the government cannot undertake this work in isolation. We require a whole-of-society approach to enhance our preparedness, not only as individual families and communities but as an entire nation.
 
NATIONAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM (NERT)
 
Our preparedness efforts for the 2023-2024 Cyclone Season have been boosted with the inclusion of Fiji’s very own National Emergency Response Team (NERT) mechanism. As you all are aware, earlier this year, we established our first-of-its-kind National Emergency Response Team that promotes interoperability among first responders from various agencies at all levels, deploys surge capacity for disaster response within and outside the country, and establishes a mechanism for deploying emergency and disaster risk managers for preparedness activities.
 
This government capability ensures that we don't overburden officials during response efforts and allows us to effectively deploy officers who share a common understanding and can work cohesively as a team.
 
We now have three levels of disaster training in place. At the community level, we conduct Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) training. At the sub-national level, we have the Work in Emergency Operation Centers (WEOC), and at the national level, we have the National Emergency Response Team (NERT). These initiatives collectively represent the Government's commitment to enhancing our resilience across all levels of disaster response.
 
NATIONAL DISASTER AWARENESS WEEK (NDAW)
 
The NDMO is mandated under the Natural Disaster Management Act 1998, to conduct the National Disaster Awareness Week (NDAW) annually. I am pleased to once again inform you that we successfully hosted this annual event last month, drawing participation from our key DRR partners, and our disaster practitioners from the region and international partners.
 
This year's event was unlike any other, as we placed our emphasis on diverse facets of disaster preparedness and resilience. We educated our citizens through the traditional Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Exhibition. Additionally, we organised tsunami drills, urban and marine search and rescue exercises, and oil spill response demonstrations, all of which shared valuable information that can be life-saving during times of crisis. I would like to express my gratitude to all our partners and donors who generously supported this significant initiative
 
IMPORTANCE OF THE ROLE OF MEDIA
The role of the media during a cyclone season is absolutely paramount in ensuring the safety and well-being of communities at risk. Media organisations serve as crucial conduits for the dissemination of accurate, timely, and reliable information. In the face of a looming cyclone, it is the responsibility of the media to keep the public informed about its progress, potential impacts, and the necessary preparedness measures. This information empowers individuals and communities to make informed decisions, plan for evacuations, and secure their homes and belongings. The ability of the media to swiftly and effectively communicate crucial details can be a matter of life and death in disaster situations.
The media also plays a pivotal role in dispelling rumors and preventing panic during any disaster. By providing consistent and credible updates, they help quell misinformation and ensure that the public receives accurate information from credible sources. In essence, the media is an indispensable lifeline that ensures that no lives are lost to disasters by helping communities prepare adequately and make well-informed decisions. It is in this same spirit that we will be looking to our friends in the media to help us raise awareness of the importance of early preparedness during this cyclone season.
 
PLEA TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC
Community leaders hold a pivotal role in the safeguarding of their community members during disasters. Their leadership and decision-making skills can be the difference between life and loss. These individuals are not just figureheads but the backbone of disaster preparedness. As we embark on the annual preparation cycle for the 2023-2024 Cyclone Season, it is essential to underline the critical responsibility that falls upon community leaders, be it the Turaga Ni Koro, District Advisory Councilors (DAC), or leaders within our small settlements.
I strongly urge you all to prioritise the readiness of your communities. Your proactive involvement can be a lifeline for the most vulnerable members within your respective communities. Ensuring that every villager and community member is well-prepared is not just a duty but a profound act of care and leadership. It is your task to look out for the marginalized and ensure that a robust disaster plan is in place. In times of crisis, preparedness truly becomes a lifesaver, and it is through the dedication and action of community leaders that we can strengthen the resilience of our communities, thereby safeguarding lives and property during the 2023-2024 Cyclone Season and beyond.
Before I conclude my statement today, I wish to emphasise the importance of heeding the warnings issued by authorities. These warnings are not meant to incite fear but to empower us with the information needed to stay safe. It is our collective responsibility as Fijians to pay close attention to these alerts, as they are issued in advance to prevent accidents and, most importantly, to save lives.
To parents and guardians, I urge you to be vigilant and proactive during heavy rain and adverse weather conditions. Keep a watchful eye on your children, ensuring they refrain from swimming in flooded walkways or rivers. The hazards hidden beneath the water are unpredictable and can pose grave risks. Please consider retrofitting your homes, and ensure your family members are familiar with emergency contact numbers, and your family's emergency plans. Preparedness is not an option; it's a necessity, and it is through these proactive measures that we can mitigate the impact of disasters and protect our loved ones.
 
Thank You and Vinaka Vakalevu.