Commissioner for the Central Division, Josefo Navuku, has advocated for the formation and active engagement of disaster subcommittees in all 334 villages and 21 municipal wards within the Central Division. Speaking at the Joint Coordination Committee Meeting for the Project of Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in Suva, Navuku stressed the critical role of community involvement in fostering resilience against natural disasters.
With the Central Division housing around 40 percent of Fiji’s population across five provinces, from Mango Bay Resort to the Wainibuka border, Navuku emphasized the need for collaborative efforts. 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.” He cautioned that without such participation, disaster risk reduction initiatives might become merely theoretical and lack practical impact.
Navuku highlighted the necessity of translating planning and training into concrete actions. Drawing a comparison to the successful “Wednesday Wellness” initiative aimed at enhancing staff wellbeing, he proposed that similar engagement on disaster preparedness, potentially through regular exercises, be implemented across various government ministries and departments.
He also shared an update on the Central Division’s inaugural Disaster Risk Reduction Plan, which has been developed in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the National Disaster Risk Management Office (NDRMO) and is set for completion by mid-November. This plan represents a significant step in bolstering community resilience and preparedness as Fiji heads into cyclone season.
The government’s commitment to community-led initiatives is further echoed by Minister for Rural and Maritime Development, Sakiasi Ditoka, who has previously urged the formation of active disaster risk management committees in villages. Ditoka’s persistent advocacy for a cultural shift toward preparation reflects a unified governmental effort to mitigate complacency and encourage proactive disaster risk management within communities.
As Fiji prepares for the forthcoming cyclone season, the collective dedication to establishing robust grassroots disaster management strategies exemplifies the nation’s commitment to safeguarding lives and enhancing safety. The proactive stance adopted by leaders like Navuku and Ditoka serves as an inspiring reminder that through active community engagement and preparedness, Fiji can create a more resilient future in the face of natural disasters.