The United Nations has urged Fiji to increase its investment in disaster prevention, highlighting the significant financial losses Pacific nations face due to inadequate funding for resilience strategies. During a gathering in Suva to mark the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, UN Resident Coordinator Dirk Wagener stressed that disasters cost Pacific Island countries over US$1.1 billion annually. He noted that Fiji alone loses around FJ$79 million each year, which amounts to 2.6 percent of its GDP. Furthermore, a single cyclone could cause damages exceeding FJ$845 million, roughly one-third of the nation’s economy.
Wagener pointed out that the adverse effects of disasters are often amplified by failures in planning and investment, with most Pacific governments dedicating less than one percent of their national budgets to disaster risk reduction. He praised countries like Tonga for pioneering financial protective measures like adaptive insurance and rapid cash support systems following disasters, urging all Pacific nations to establish comprehensive national disaster risk financing strategies to promote resilient and informed investment.
Gabrielle Emery, head of the UNDRR Pacific Subregional Office, highlighted the critical nature of the situation. She described Fiji and its neighboring countries as positioned at “ground zero of the climate crisis,” facing numerous hazards. Emery emphasized that investing in safeguarding the population is more cost-effective than engaging in reconstruction efforts after disasters strike.
Despite these challenges, Fiji has made progress by embedding climate and disaster risk considerations into its legislative frameworks, such as the Climate Change Act and the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act. However, further funding is necessary for these measures to achieve their full potential. The UN is actively collaborating with Fiji’s government, civil society, and the private sector to improve access to innovative financing solutions and enhance early warning systems. A recent investment of FJ$25 million aims to strengthen community-focused alert systems across the nation, showcasing a proactive approach to disaster management and community resilience efforts.
Fiji’s experience serves as a reminder of the vital importance of incorporating climate resilience into budget planning and investment decisions. The government is working towards establishing a Pacific Resilience Fund, which targets US$500 million for adaptation projects and infrastructure development at the community level. By streamlining disaster financing and focusing on essential services like health and education, Fiji is shaping a path towards a more robust future as it faces the unavoidable impacts of climate change.
The proactive steps being taken by Fiji could potentially offer a framework for other nations grappling with similar challenges, reflecting a shift towards strategies that enhance safety and stability in the face of growing climatic threats. As the emphasis on preparedness and resilience grows, there is hope that these collaborative efforts will foster sustainable futures for all vulnerable countries in the region.