NDMO Receives Emergency Response Equipment
The Fiji National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) has received a set of emergency response equipment worth US$75,000 from the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).
WFP handed over six Iridium satellite telephones, two broadband global area network satellite terminals, a total of 92 tablets and power banks to boost NDMO’s emergency response capacity. This contribution was from the Government of Brazil.
Officiating at the handover on Friday, Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Inia Seruiratu acknowledged that WFP invested substantially in improving emergency communication systems for disaster management operations.
High Frequency (HF) capabilities
Mr Seruiratu said WFP assisted in conducting a communications assessment on High Frequency (HF) capabilities in the Northern Division.
“This assessment was instrumental in getting additional support from the Government of Japan on procurement of nine HF radios that are being installed in Emergency Operations Centre’s (EOCs) in the Northern Division,” he said.
“Additionally, we are also grateful for the provision of BGAN Satellite support that WFP has been offering in the past emergencies.”
Mr Seruiratu said the handover of tablets and protective covers; power banks, satellite phones, and BGAN satellite terminals will also assist in data gathering, planning and offer portable connectivity solution for the Disaster Risk Management cycle.
Online platform
He said over the past few weeks, the NDMO has been working with government ministries, and partners to consolidate the national operational readiness check.
He said an online platform has been created for this crucial exercise.
“The platform gives us the ability to know in advance the location of critical assets, and to make timely decisions for prepositioning or addressing the gap,” Mr Seruiratu said.
WFP director of Pacific Multi-Country Office, Jo Pilgrim, said as a strong supporter and partner of the Fijian Government, and in this cyclone-season, they were pleased to provide the emergency equipment.
“I do hope that the additional satellite communications equipment that we’re providing will help the enumerator to be better prepared and to respond better to cyclone disasters and other shocks in the future,” Ms Pilgrim said.