One of the highlights of the field visit to the Lau Group this week by the Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Inia Seruiratu and a team from the United Nations is to check on the progress of existing programs and encourage an integrated approach to disaster mitigation.
Mr Seruiratu departed Suva last night with some senior Government officials who are accompanying a delegation led by the United Nations Resident Coordinator Sanaka Kumara Samarasinha, alongside other senior representatives of the various United Nations agencies in the Pacific.
The five-day visit is a continuation of a recent joint tour to Kadavu organised by the UN.
Lau and Kadavu had been identified as two of the hardest hit regions after Tropical Cyclone Harold.
There is also presently a number of efforts both from Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) projects and longer term development programs that exist in both these regions.
During their visit to Lau, the delegation will visit the islands of Moala, Totoya, Matuku, Ono-i-Lau and Vatoa where they will be meeting with Fijians and also commissioning several projects.
Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete, Director National Disaster Management Office (NDMO),Vasiti Soko, and Commissioner Eastern Division Vitale Varo are also part of the delegation.
As part of the field visit, the NDMO team in this delegation will also be visiting villages in the Lau Group to provide awareness on the importance of disaster preparedness and readiness.
The team will be distributing posters, flyers and other awareness materials during the visit.
