Posted on June, 28 2018

WWF-Pacific was part of a one day Disaster Preparedness & Response Workshop for Civil Society Organisation (cso’s) at the Grand Pacific Hotel.

The workshop provided an opportunity for cso’s  involved in disaster preparedness and response to showcase their resources on localized preparedness during times of disasters including for example manuals, photos of past response and information about the respective organization.

Speaking at the closing of the workshop, the Australian High Commissioner to Fiji, His Excellency  Mr John Feakes commended the National Disaster Management Office for its leadership in supporting and working with stakeholders including civil society organizations towards enhancing disaster preparedness and response efforts.

“Its encouraging to see a workshop focused on enhancing preparedness and response actions and civil society coming together to coordinate their efforts to better respond to the needs of those affected during disasters, with the increased projections of cyclones in the Pacific including in Fiji, the need to prepare for and respond to disasters is an increasing reality,” Mr Feakes said.

“Australia is committed to supporting Fiji’s efforts to build resilience and manage and mitigate risks in disaster response and preparedness. In line with our international commitments Australia places a high importance on making humanitarian action as local as possible in strengthening local and national first responders,” he said.

The workshop focused on exploring  strategies for effective humanitarian coordination and improve the understanding of the work of cso partners.

“As one of the many civil society organizations and NGO’s involved in disaster preparedness and response in Fiji, WWF Pacific was invited to the Preparedness and Response Cooperation workshop held in Suva on the 27^th of June 2018,” said WWFPacific Disaster Risk Reduction Officer, Mr Sanivalati Tubuna.

WWF is among 11 civil society organizations and NGO’s in Fiji that has received funding from the Australian government through the Fiji Program Support Facility to help enhance the organizations disaster preparedness and response efforts and capacity.