MINISTER SERUIRATU’S STATEMENT ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR DISASTER RISK REDUCTION
10/14/2016
MINISTER SERUIRATU’S STATEMENT ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR DISASTER RISK REDUCTION
Bula vinaka partners for Disaster Risk Reduction,
As the Minister responsible for Disaster Risk Management in Fiji, I can confidently speak for the PICs as we are neighbours and connected by oceans which are our source of livelihood, and during adversity challenges our safety and well-being. This is what we are and what we face in the region.
I am pleased to be able to speak on the importance of building resilient communities for a safer world on the occasion of this year’s International Day for Disaster Reduction.
The Pacific is one of the most at risk regions in the world, with frequent natural hazards, such as cyclones, floods, droughts and tsunamis which are being exacerbated by climate change.
Fiji recognises the importance of building resilience to this new norm of frequent natural hazards and effects of climate change to ensure sustainable development and saving lives in the future. These changes to our environment are evident with the recent Cyclone Winston, which struck Fiji in February this year. This was the strongest Cyclone ever to strike Fiji, with the Cyclone impacting over 60% of the country’s total population. Entire communities were destroyed, and over 30,000 houses were either damaged or destroyed. Although tragic, it was more of a miracle that we did not lose more than 44 lives. We believe a contributing factor for this number is the work we have been done with partners to build resilience to our communities and strengthen their preparedness status and to improve early warning systems.
Fiji is committed to building its resilience against these natural hazards and our government is taking strong steps to ensure a safer community for all. The combined value of destroyed assets, destructions and loss of production of goods and services equates to $2.8billion. This figure revealed by the World Bank led Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) is astronomical and equivalent to more than 2/3 of our annual national budget.
I firmly believe that members of parliament can play a critical role in leading communities to be prepared for disasters and to build their resilience. This is evident by the strong advocacy role both I and other members of Cabinet took in informing and relating to communities to be prepared during the cyclone season and before the cyclone struck and emphasising the need for Build Back Better during the recovery process.
In addition, Fiji has committed to conducting vulnerability and risk assessments for all communities in the country, and it is working closely with coastal communities to relocate, if necessary.
Let me conclude by thanking you and I wish you all the best for this International Day for Disaster Reduction as we work together to build a safer world for our communities.
Vinaka vakalevu
MINISTER SERUIRATU’S STATEMENT ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR DISASTER RISK REDUCTION10/14/2016MINISTER SERUIRATU’S STATEMENT ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR DISASTER RISK REDUCTIONBula vinaka partners for Disaster Risk Reduction,As the Minister responsible for Disaster Risk Management in Fiji, I can confidently speak for the PICs as we are neighbours and connected by oceans which are our source of livelihood, and during adversity challenges our safety and well-being. This is what we are and what we face in the region.I am pleased to be able to speak on the importance of building resilient communities for a safer world on the occasion of this year’s International Day for Disaster Reduction.The Pacific is one of the most at risk regions in the world, with frequent natural hazards, such as cyclones, floods, droughts and tsunamis which are being exacerbated by climate change.Fiji recognises the importance of building resilience to this new norm of frequent natural hazards and effects of climate change to ensure sustainable development and saving lives in the future. These changes to our environment are evident with the recent Cyclone Winston, which struck Fiji in February this year. This was the strongest Cyclone ever to strike Fiji, with the Cyclone impacting over 60% of the country’s total population. Entire communities were destroyed, and over 30,000 houses were either damaged or destroyed. Although tragic, it was more of a miracle that we did not lose more than 44 lives. We believe a contributing factor for this number is the work we have been done with partners to build resilience to our communities and strengthen their preparedness status and to improve early warning systems. Fiji is committed to building its resilience against these natural hazards and our government is taking strong steps to ensure a safer community for all. The combined value of destroyed assets, destructions and loss of production of goods and services equates to $2.8billion. This figure revealed by the World Bank led Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) is astronomical and equivalent to more than 2/3 of our annual national budget.I firmly believe that members of parliament can play a critical role in leading communities to be prepared for disasters and to build their resilience. This is evident by the strong advocacy role both I and other members of Cabinet took in informing and relating to communities to be prepared during the cyclone season and before the cyclone struck and emphasising the need for Build Back Better during the recovery process.In addition, Fiji has committed to conducting vulnerability and risk assessments for all communities in the country, and it is working closely with coastal communities to relocate, if necessary.Let me conclude by thanking you and I wish you all the best for this International Day for Disaster Reduction as we work together to build a safer world for our communities.Vinaka vakalevu
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