Climate, disasters ‘threat multipliers’

DISASTERS and climate change are threat multipliers that exacerbate existing threats to our security and stability, says Australian High Commissioner to Fiji John Feakes.

He made the comment during the opening of Fiji’s first Climate-Induced Security Workshop in Sigatoka yesterday.

Mr Feakes said the Australian government had already pumped more than $300 million in the Pacific over the past four years to support climate change and disaster resilience.

“We have also pledged an additional $500 million over the course of five years, starting from 2020, for renewable energy, and climate change and disaster resilience for the Pacific,” he said.

“Australia is a world leader in emergency management activities as a result of our extreme weather events.”

He said the Australian government was working closely with Pacific Island countries to build capacity and resilience against the hazards.

“We will continue to provide humanitarian response when needed.”