FIJI’s National Disaster Management Act (1998) and National Disaster Management Plan (1995) are undergoing a review process.
During a disaster risk management workshop to launch Fiji’s National Disaster Management Act and Plan Review on Friday in Suva, deputy secretary for the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development, Disaster Management and Meteorological Services, Loata Vakacegu, said the need to review the act and plan had been a long outstanding issue.
“On behalf of the Government of Fiji, I commend and thank the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies for its timely support in partnership with the Fiji Red Cross Society,” Ms Vakacegu said.
“I would also like to mention the generous assistance provided by the European Union(EU) and the technical support provided by the Pacific Community(SPC) under its Building Safety and Resilience in the Pacific Program.”
The process, ensured the lessons learned from the most severe cyclone to ever hit the country were incorporated into the new legislative agreements for disaster management in the country. The workshop brought representatives from across relevant Government ministries together to discuss the DRM review process and recommended priority focus area for the new DRM Framework.
Ms Vakacegu added the Government was confident that at the end of the review, there would be a comprehensive disaster management plan and act preparing for the future
