Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka highlighted the importance of disaster preparedness in protecting lives, livelihoods, and industries such as tourism, which serves as a backbone of Fiji’s economy.
Opening a three-day Disaster Risk Resilience Scorecard Workshop for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) that starts today in Suva, Gavoka called for collective action to tackle challenges faced by SIDS’ including rising sea levels and intensified natural disasters.
He described the workshop as a “compass guiding us toward measurable improvements in resilience, ensuring that no Fijian is left behind.”
Participants will use the Disaster Resilience Scorecard, a key tool for SIDS, to identify gaps and formulate strategies to enhance disaster preparedness and recovery. Discussions over the next three days will focus on protecting vulnerable populations, strengthening infrastructure, and preserving natural resources.
“Disasters do not discriminate. Their impacts ripple through our communities, infrastructure, and key industries,” Gavoka said. “Our ability to recover swiftly safeguards not just the tourism sector but the thousands of lives it supports.”
The workshop, supported by partners including the UNCDF, Excelsia University College, and the Global Development College, brings together representatives from civil society, government, and local communities to craft practical strategies aligned with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
Photo: File
