Govt remains committed to preparedness despite vulnerability
FIJI is ranked as the 12th most hazardous country in the world by the World Risk Index on the basis of high exposure to natural hazards and relatively low coping capacity.
And the inhabitants of small island development states like Fiji are 15 times more likely to die from climate change disasters.
This stark reality was brought to the fore by Minister for Rural and Maritime Development, National Disaster Management Office, Sakiasi Ditoka, while contributing to the motion on the address by the President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere while opening the 2024 Session of Parliament.
Against this backdrop, Minister Ditoka explained the urgent need for the new Disaster Bill that will be brought to Parliament later this year.
“The Government maintains its unwavering commitment to enact robust policies that effectively address the compounding challenges arising from climate change and disasters, particularly impacting our vulnerable communities,” Minister Ditoka said.
Research indicates that cyclones and floods could result in average annual losses equivalent to 5.8 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“The International Monetary Fund (IMF) underscores Fiji’s significant exposure, estimating a 70 per cent likelihood of experiencing impactful disasters related to natural hazards annually,” the Minister said.
Added to that, Minister Ditoka said with 70 per cent of Fiji’s population residing within five kilometres of the coastline, the vulnerability to climate and disaster risks was undeniable.
The Bill, he explained, was an important milestone for all Fijians, incorporating valuable lessons from past disasters to ensure a legal framework that was adaptive and responsive to the evolving nature of such crises while being aligned to international best practices and standards for disaster risk reduction.
Also, in light of the high level of exposure, Minister Ditoka said, the Government remains committed to advancing its social protection programs and one such initiative was the establishment of Fiji’s Anticipatory Action Framework, the first of its kind in the Pacific.
“Developed in collaboration with United
Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) and other UN Partners, this framework allocates US$2.3 million (FJ$5.2m) of the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) for preparedness activities.”
He said the framework adopts a ‘no regret’ position in releasing funds to affected members of the population once various triggers are met, aiming to provide timely assistance to forecasted areas prior to disaster impact.