Government of the Republic of Fiji
Government of the Republic of Fiji
10/18/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/17/2024 21:28
FIJI KEEN TO EXPLORE FORMAL BILATERAL...
MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Fiji has expressed interest in exploring a formal bilateral arrangement with the Government of Singapore, specifically focused on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR).
The Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Hon. Sakiasi Ditoka said this during a bilateral meeting with Singapore Civil Defence Force's Commissioner Mr. Yap Wee Teck.
The meeting was held on the margins of the Asia Pacific Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) presently underway in Manila, Philippines.
During the meeting, Minister Ditoka thanked the Government of Singapore for the continuous support rendered to Fiji over the years.
"We do note that currently there is no existing formal bilateral engagement between Fiji and Singapore on disaster management. However, it is noted that the Government of Singapore has been providing disaster aid through Singapore Red Cross in the past disasters, the most recent one being Tropical Cyclone Yasa in 2020," said Minister Ditoka.
"Singapore has been providing capacity building support to Fiji under the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP) which started in 1992, in areas such as Public Administration, Civil Aviation, Banking and Finance, Port Management, and Information Technology. Given Singapore's vast experience in the region and being an ASEAN member state, we would be grateful to explore capacity building and knowledge exchange opportunities for Fiji in the DRR sector as well."
"The Singapore Civil Defence Force has provided assistance to some of its ASEAN neighbors in rescue and firefighting. Singapore also has Search and Rescue (SAR) capability, which has provided assistance during international and domestic missions. Fiji is also willing to explore similar level of support from your team should the need arise."
Minister Ditoka proposed potential collaboration between Fiji and Singapore towards boosting the capability and capacity of Fiji's National Emergency Response Team (NERT), and peer-to-peer exchange programmes to learn from Singapore's experience in disaster risk management.
During the bilateral discussions, Minister Ditoka expressed Fiji's interest in working with the Earth Observatory of Singapore to focus on geohazards. He emphasised that with the recent passing of the National Disaster Risk Management Act. Fiji was keen to learn from Singapore's experiences in specific areas, including the development of Single Window customs clearance facilities, which would enhance the entry of aid and relief consignments during emergencies.
He also highlighted Fiji's goal of establishing Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems that could effectively reach rural and maritime communities. He also outlined Fiji's ambition to integrate more science and technology into its disaster management efforts, seeking Singapore's expertise, particularly in the use of mobile-based applications for warnings and advisories, as well as the application of LIDAR technology for enhanced mapping and risk modeling.
The Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Hon. Sakiasi Ditoka said this during a bilateral meeting with Singapore Civil Defence Force's Commissioner Mr. Yap Wee Teck.
The meeting was held on the margins of the Asia Pacific Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) presently underway in Manila, Philippines.
During the meeting, Minister Ditoka thanked the Government of Singapore for the continuous support rendered to Fiji over the years.
"We do note that currently there is no existing formal bilateral engagement between Fiji and Singapore on disaster management. However, it is noted that the Government of Singapore has been providing disaster aid through Singapore Red Cross in the past disasters, the most recent one being Tropical Cyclone Yasa in 2020," said Minister Ditoka.
"Singapore has been providing capacity building support to Fiji under the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP) which started in 1992, in areas such as Public Administration, Civil Aviation, Banking and Finance, Port Management, and Information Technology. Given Singapore's vast experience in the region and being an ASEAN member state, we would be grateful to explore capacity building and knowledge exchange opportunities for Fiji in the DRR sector as well."
"The Singapore Civil Defence Force has provided assistance to some of its ASEAN neighbors in rescue and firefighting. Singapore also has Search and Rescue (SAR) capability, which has provided assistance during international and domestic missions. Fiji is also willing to explore similar level of support from your team should the need arise."
Minister Ditoka proposed potential collaboration between Fiji and Singapore towards boosting the capability and capacity of Fiji's National Emergency Response Team (NERT), and peer-to-peer exchange programmes to learn from Singapore's experience in disaster risk management.
During the bilateral discussions, Minister Ditoka expressed Fiji's interest in working with the Earth Observatory of Singapore to focus on geohazards. He emphasised that with the recent passing of the National Disaster Risk Management Act. Fiji was keen to learn from Singapore's experiences in specific areas, including the development of Single Window customs clearance facilities, which would enhance the entry of aid and relief consignments during emergencies.
He also highlighted Fiji's goal of establishing Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems that could effectively reach rural and maritime communities. He also outlined Fiji's ambition to integrate more science and technology into its disaster management efforts, seeking Singapore's expertise, particularly in the use of mobile-based applications for warnings and advisories, as well as the application of LIDAR technology for enhanced mapping and risk modeling.