A five-day Disaster Risk Reduction Training that ended on Friday in Balekinaga Village, Bureivanua, Ra is expected to boost disaster readiness for villagers.
Conducted by Partners in Community Development Fiji (PCDF), the training was aimed at preventing and reducing existing disaster risk and managing residual risk, all of which contributed to strengthening resilience.
“The training coincides with the International Day for Disaster Reduction and National Disaster Awareness Week as we approach the new cyclone season,” a statement read.
The training was part of the Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP) Disaster READY program.
PCDF, in partnership with AHP’s Disaster READY program, also conducted Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction (CBDRR) training in Nabouva, Wainibuka in Tailevu as part of the Disaster Ready program.
The training aimed to strengthen local capacity for emergency preparedness.
Meanwhile, a statement from the AHP on the eve of International Day for Disaster Reduction on Wednesday last week stated it continued to play an important role in disaster risk management and building resilient communities in Fiji.
“Since 2018, the Australian Government invested over $A50million towards the AHP’s Disaster READY initiatives across the Pacific and Timor Leste, focusing efforts both in disaster response as well as disaster preparedness,” an AHP statement read.
“The program represents Australia’s largest ever investment in disaster preparedness in the region and is an important element of Australia’s stepped-up engagement for a more resilient Pacific.
“With Fiji included, 23 civil society organisations have been collaborating to prioritise resilience to climate change and disaster preparedness across Fiji through their various activities under Disaster READY program.”
