Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says for Fiji, climate related disasters are national security threat number one.
Bainimarama stressed this at the launch of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Policy this morning at the Holiday Inn in Suva adding he was on the ground in communities on the frontlines of Cyclone Winston's record-breaking ferocity in 2016.
The Prime Minister reminded people that the disaster claimed the lives of 44 Fijians, leveled tens of thousands of homes and hundreds of schools, affecting over 500,000 Fijians.
Bainimarama adds two years later in a span of three months Fiji was ravaged by back to back cyclones Josie, Keni and Gita resulting in massive flooding, more lives lost and serious setbacks in the nationwide rebuild following Cyclone Winston.
He highlighted that while scientists are sounding the alarm on how climate change is fuelling more frequent and severe cyclones, Fijians are suffering from that reality first hand.
Bainimarama says while science tells us the window of opportunity to save ourselves is fast closing, the largest emitters have yet to summon the courage to act decisively on this issue.
He adds the National Disaster Risk Reduction Policy provides the policy and legal framework that supports how the government funds, manages and integrates disaster risk management across every level of governance.
Bainimarama reminded everyone that this job is too big for Government alone. He says every person, every business and organisation must play a role in preparing for worsening disasters.
