Communities around the country are being urged to prepare now for an anticipated active tropical cyclone season, with the National Disaster Risk Management Office stressing early action, household readiness and stronger coordination among government agencies ahead of potential disasters.
Fiji's cyclone season runs from November 1st to April 30th.
Director of the Fiji National Disaster Risk Management Office, Napolioni Boseiwaqa, says preparedness is the focus of this week's National Disaster Risk Awareness Week, which includes exercises to test inter-agency collaboration and existing disaster response plans.
Boseiwaqa says this morning's exercise focuses on anticipatory action, which involves providing assistance to at-risk communities before a disaster occurs, particularly before a tropical cyclone makes landfall.
He says the Anticipatory Action Framework is a new initiative aimed at delivering assistance to vulnerable communities ahead of an unexpected event, helping reduce the potential impacts of disasters.
Boseiwaqa says the exercise is designed to strengthen the preparedness and readiness of government agencies, stakeholders and communities so they can respond more effectively before a disaster affects the country.
He says the scenarios being considered include Fiji's ongoing drought response and the outlook for the upcoming tropical cyclone season.
According to Boseiwaqa, the Fiji Meteorological Services has forecast around two to three tropical cyclones, with one to two potentially reaching severe tropical cyclone categories.
He says the forecast is being considered alongside the El Niño phenomenon and historical records, which highlight the importance of preparing for potential severe weather events.
He is urging households to start preparing for the cyclone season by putting together a disaster kit containing essential food, drinking water and communication supplies.
He says people should also familiarise themselves with evacuation routes and the locations of evacuation centres in case they need to leave their homes.
Boseiwaqa says households should keep emergency contact numbers for first responders, including the Fiji Police Force and the National Fire Authority, so they know who to contact when assistance is needed.
He is also encouraging communities to check the strength and structural integrity of their homes and carry out any necessary repairs or strengthening before the season intensifies.
Boseiwaqa says households and communities should ensure they have sufficient food and water supplies, as communication lines may be disrupted during a disaster and communities may need to rely on their own resources while waiting for government assistance.
He says preparedness is a shared responsibility involving government, civil society, agencies and communities.
Boseiwaqa is urging all Fijians to take the necessary precautions now, stressing that the key message from the National Disaster Risk Management Office is for the country to be prepared for any event that may affect Fiji.
