Commissioner for the Central Division, Josefo Navuku, has called for the establishment and ongoing activity of disaster subcommittees in all 334 villages and 21 municipal wards within the Central Division. Addressing the Joint Coordination Committee Meeting for the Project of Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in Suva, Mr. Navuku underscored the necessity of community engagement in building resilience against natural disasters.
Highlighting that the Central Division is home to approximately 40 percent of Fiji’s population, which spans five provinces from Mango Bay Resort to the Wainibuka border, Navuku emphasized that a collaborative effort is essential. He noted, “Our collective effort is to ensure that over time, these villages and the wards within the four municipal councils have active and consistent DRR subcommittees.” Without such involvement, he warned that disaster risk reduction efforts risk becoming stagnant and merely theoretical.
Navuku stressed the importance of translating planning and training into practical application. He drew a parallel to the “Wednesday Wellness” initiative that promotes staff wellbeing, suggesting that similar consistent engagement on disaster preparedness, such as a one-hour Thursday exercise, should also be adopted by other government ministries and departments.
Furthermore, he announced the anticipated completion of the Central Division’s first Disaster Risk Reduction Plan, developed in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the National Disaster Risk Management Office (NDRMO), which is expected by mid-November. This plan is part of a broader strategy to enhance community resilience and ensure effective preparedness as Fiji approaches its cyclone season.
The emphasis placed on community-led initiatives is echoed in broader government efforts, as highlighted by Minister for Rural and Maritime Development, Sakiasi Ditoka, who previously urged villages to form active disaster risk management committees. Ditoka’s consistent push for a cultural shift toward preparedness indicates a unified governmental aim to reduce complacency among communities and foster a proactive stance toward disaster risk.
As Fiji braces for the impending cyclone season, the collective focus on establishing solid grassroots disaster management strategies showcases a commitment to protecting lives and enhancing safety across the nation. The call to action from leaders like Navuku and Ditoka serves as a hopeful reminder that through active community involvement and preparation, Fiji can build a resilient future against the challenges posed by natural disasters.