Caption: Permanent Secretary for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Mr. Isoa Talemaibua and Director National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) Ms. Vasiti Soko with representatives from the Centre for Excellence on Disaster Management (CFE-DM), and personnel from various organisations and institutions responsible for disaster response operations and members of the National Emergency Response Team (NERT) currently undergoing a week-long training on Humanitarian Assistance Response Training (HART) in Suva last month.

SUVA – More than 50 personnel from various organisations and institutions responsible for disaster response operations and the National Emergency Response Team (NERT) participated in a week-long training on Humanitarian Assistance Response Training (HART) held in Suva last month.

Organised by the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) in collaboration with the Centre for Excellence on Disaster Management (CFE-DM), Hawaii, the training was conducted in conjunction with the USS Pearl Harbor Vessel visitation programme to Fiji, under the Pacific Partnership Programme.

Coordinated efforts between civilian agencies and the military ensure a swift and efficient response to mitigate the impact of disasters and save lives. The HART training aims to promote collaboration between civilian and military stakeholders involved in disaster management and emergency response in Fiji.

In opening the training in Suva, Permanent Secretary for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Mr. Isoa Talemaibua highlighted that due to the geographical inter-connectedness of the world, risks and impacts were transferred across nations and around the globe.

“We are experiencing more complex, interdependent disasters and an increase in its social and economic impacts demands a fundamental shift in how we manage disaster risks and the numbers itself demonstrate the importance of promoting a greater understanding of disaster risk so that appropriate measures can be taken to protect lives and livelihoods. Therefore, as leaders and disaster practitioners, we all play a crucial role in bridging the gap between all stakeholders involved and encouraging participation of all sectors of society,” Mr Talemaibua said.

“Therefore, this training in particular is timely as we have recently concluded a National Simulation Exercise on Tsunami and Earthquake as part of our National Disaster Awareness Week program whereby a lot of discussions involved around civil-military coordination.”

Fiji has a well-established disaster risk management structure that brings all stakeholders together at the decision-making fora. The Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF), Fiji Police, and the National Fire Authority (NFA) form our first responders’ team and offer great capabilities and support in responding to disasters.

At the conclusion of the five-day training, participants will be able to explain key aspects of Humanitarian Civil-Military Coordination, Climate Change and Security, Public Health in Emergency, Logistics, Women, Peace and Security, and Mass Rescue Operations.

-ENDS-

The Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management is responsible for implementing development strategies that bring Fijians living in rural and maritime regions the same level of access to essential services and economic opportunities as anywhere else in the country. We coordinate and implement the Fiji Government’s rural and maritime development initiatives with a mission to empower Fiji’s rural sector. We also spearhead disaster risk reduction initiatives at national and sub-national level including disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. We have offices for each of Fiji’s 14 provinces including Rotuma, leading the Fijian Government’s rural development and disaster risk management operations.

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