FIJI is stepping up to spearhead regional disaster readiness as Pacific defence leaders consolidate plans for the newly formed Pacific Response Group.
Addressing the media last Wednesday following bilateral talks, Minister for Defence and Veteran Affairs Pio Tikoduadua confirmed that humanitarian assistance and disaster relief sit at the very heart of the initiative.
“Fiji, we want to lead the effort in the Pacific and we registered our interest now,” he said.
“We have the facilities, we’re doing it already anyway, we’re developing the capability, in addition to our naval platforms, our maritime platforms.”
Mr Tikoduadua highlighted Nadi’s Blackrock Camp as a primary hub for future operations, emphasising that the region’s air and sea assets are being primed for rapid deployment across island nations.
“Those are some of the great tangibles that are going to be coming out of this.
“We feel we are ready for the next crisis or the next disaster to happen.”
Australia Assistant Minister for Defence Peter Khalil, lauded Fiji’s leadership within the South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting framework since the region faces increasingly severe weather patterns driven by climate change.
“We know that there’s a very, very difficult season coming up, as far as climate,that’s why we’re preparing and working together,”he said.
Mr Khalil emphasised that the Pacific Response Group relies on mutual military support and shared capabilities to safeguard vulnerable communities.
“We rely on Fiji’s expertise in many respects as well. Across multiple militaries, we can provide that humanitarian assistance.”
