NDMO Concludes Awareness Training In The North

MEDIA RELEASE | December 7, 2021.

The Fiji National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) concluded a comprehensive three-day workshop, beginning December 1, on “Working as a Team in an Emergency Operation Centre” in the northern division last week.

The workshop focused on lessons learnt from past disasters- especially Tropical Cyclone Yasa and Tropical Cyclone Ana – and ways that the Provincial Administrators and District Officers could strengthen their job roles as Disaster Coordinators in an Emergency Operation Centre (EOC). It also included the setup and activation of an emergency operation centre and information management.

The target participants for the training included staff of the Commissioner Northern Division, Provisional Administrators, District Officers and Assistant District officer and representatives from other government ministries.

Divisional Commissioner Northern, Mr. Uraia Rainima, said disaster coordinators played a vital role in saving lives at the height of a disaster and that they should guide and advise Fijians on how to better deal with it.

“It’s a big risk for Vanua Levu at this time as we are already into the cyclone season and there are more than 7, 000 people that were affected by TC Yasa and TC Ana,” he said.

He added that the training was vital as it would ensure the smooth running of operations when there is a disaster.

Director NDMO Ms. Vasiti Soko echoed similar sentiments saying that coordination is key during disasters and such trainings will equip the Disaster Coordinators in ensuring government’s priority of saving lives is met.

“We have seen the wrath caused by past disasters and we have made it a mission at NDMO to educate everyone at all levels on the importance of being well prepared for a disaster,” she said.

“The training is part of the government’s continued effort increasing our level of disaster readiness as per the Natural Disaster Management Act and the National Disaster Management Plan.”

The NDMO will also be conducting similar training in the Western Division this week and the Central Division next week.

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