Blackrock – more than just a military camp
The Republic of Fiji Military Forces training facility at Blackrock, Nadi, is set to become a regional training centre for climate and disaster preparedness, readiness and response.
RFMF Commander, Major-General Ro Jone Kalouniwai said this was to better prepare Fiji and the region to respond to the devastating impacts of climate change in missions and most importantly in their countries of service.
Climate change has also been listed as the RFMF’s strategic priority, outlined in its strategic plan titled ‘Beyond 2022’.
The strategic plan outlined that climate change would affect a wide range of geographies, whether through increased temperatures in hot, humid or dry conditions or even storms and rise in sea levels.
It also states that new or exacerbated humanitarian crises were essential scenarios for defence or foreign aid planners to consider, especially in localities most affected by both.
To achieve this, Major-General Kalouniwai said Blackrock was being designed for a peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparation and training centre, not just domestically but for the region as well.
“Discussions are currently ongoing in having all courses in Peacekeeping Operations (PKO) and Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR) being UN accredited to attract regional participants,” he said.
“The recent regional Joint Heads of Pacific Security meeting held last week here in Denarau discussed Climate Change and a key outcome was the potential of having Blackrock as a regional training center for climate and disaster preparedness, readiness and response.”