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Wed, 1 Sep 2010
SUVA, Fiji (SOPAC) ---- Disaster Managers from countries and territories around the Pacific region met in Suva recently for their 16th annual meeting as part of the 2010 Pacific Platform for Disaster Risk Management workshop over a three-day period.
Mosese Sikivou, Manager SOPAC Disaster Reduction Programme said that the meeting allowed for better risk management training and capacity building programmes that specifically target the heads of disaster offices and the disaster management support structures in the Pacific.
SOPAC provides assistance to 19 island countries and territories in the Pacific region through applied geoscience and technology.
Participants included Disaster managers from Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, French Polynesia and Wallis & Futuna.
Mr Sikivou said that there are constant reminders that people and governments must be prepared to deal with disasters at a moments notice and that the urgency of the workshop reflected this.
He cited that tropical cyclones affect the region on an annual basis, the September 2009 tsunami that devastated Samoa and Tonga and floods that submerged Fiji’s Western Division in January 2009 as “evidence of the importance of preparedness.”
The Pacific Platform, launched in 2008, evolved from the work of three regional organizations, Pacific Regional Disaster Managers, the Pacific CEOs, and the Pacific Disaster Risk Management Partnerships Network and has proven to be “valuable” as a forum in exchanging information on disaster risk reduction and climate change issues across the region.
A principle outcome of the workshop was a review of the role of the Disaster Manager over the years “especially with the new challenges they are facing as a part of their government strategies.”
Also programmed into Pacific Platform was a further two days set aside for the 5th Annual Meeting of the Pacific Disaster Risk Management Partnership Network with representatives from development partners, Disaster Risk Management specialists, and donor agencies attending.
The meeting provided an opportunity for the direct exchange and learning on matters of mutual concern to Pacific Island countries and territories.
“This brought together professionals from all sorts of backgrounds who can play a part in disaster risk management.” Mr. Sikivou said. “Through shared experience and consultation it helps us to find ways to ensure people are better prepared to deal with challenges both before and after a disaster strikes.”
The 2010 Pacific Platform for DRM was jointly organized and funded by members of the Pacific DRM Partnership Network.
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