The National Disaster Management Office has conducted more than 300 training sessions on disaster risk reduction at community level as part of its community engagement program.

Minister for National Disaster Management Inia Seruiratu said engagement at community level was very important to ensure disaster preparedness of Fijians most at risk.

“Building community resilience at grassroots level is important for Government and for that reason, we are now standardising the community-based DRR training manual to ensure we speak the same language when it comes to disasters.

“Fijian communities are on the frontlines of the rising seas and stronger storms.”

He said communities at the grassroots level also had a wealth of knowledge to share when it came to disaster preparedness.

“Those who have lived through multiple cyclones and who contend daily with the rising seas often have as much to teach as they have to learn about disaster risk management.

“The members of these communities have not read about disasters in a textbook or on some website, they have learned from experience.

“We cannot let their invaluable knowledge go to waste and that is why our community-based training empowers community members to take ownership over the mitigation of disasters risks.”

Mr Seruiratu, Health Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete and donor partners were at the launch of National Disaster Awareness Week in Ba this week.