Telecom Fiji, Live & Learn Fiji, NDRMO, Fiji Met Service and other stakeholders work to strengthen Fiji’s Multi-Hazard Early Warning System

Telecom Fiji has announced a collaborative partnership with Live & Learn Fiji, the National Disaster Risk Management Office (NDRMO), and key national stakeholders including the Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS), Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Ministry of Communications, Telecom Authority of Fiji, and other Telecommunications service providers to strengthen Fiji’s Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (MHEWS).

This national initiative aims to boost disaster preparedness by improving communication infrastructure and ensuring that warning systems across the country work seamlessly together.

A key part of this work is advancing the use of the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) an international standard that allows emergency alerts to be sent out simultaneously across multiple channels such as SMS, radio, TV, mobile apps, websites, and sirens.

CAP ensures communities receive clear, fast, and consistent alerts during emergencies, no matter what device or platform they use.

Telecom’s role includes conducting technical and field assessments of existing systems, engaging with government and industry stakeholders, mapping communication and broadcast infrastructure, identifying coverage gaps, and designing CAP integration to ensure reliable alert delivery nationwide.

Telecom Fiji CEO, Charles Goundar says strengthening Fiji’s early warning capabilities is not just a technical responsibility, it is a commitment to protecting lives.

Goundar says Telecom is proud to support this national effort by ensuring their networks and systems are ready to deliver critical alerts when communities need them most.

Live & Learn Country Director Doris Susau says this partnership brings the right expertise together to help communities prepare, respond, and stay safe during disasters.

Susau says by combining technical capability with community-focused resilience work, they are building a safer and more informed Fiji.

Key expected outputs include communication infrastructure maps, CAP readiness assessments, vulnerability and coverage gap analyses, technical system designs, policy recommendations, and a phased investment plan to strengthen Fiji’s early warning and telecommunications systems.

Goundar says Telecom remains committed to supporting national resilience efforts and ensuring that communities across Fiji receive accurate, timely, and life-saving information when it matters most.

He says they extend their gratitude to the Government of India, Australia, the United Kingdom and the European Union, for their financial support for IRIS through CDRI’s Infrastructure Resilience Accelerator Fund.