The Government of Fiji, in partnership with the UN Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Office in Fiji, has successfully concluded the final validation workshop for the country’s first-ever Green Climate Fund (GCF) Early Warnings for All (EW4ALL) Project proposal.
Project proposal validated
This initiative aims to enhance Fiji’s early warning systems, a step in bolstering Fiji’s resilience in the face of increasing climate-related hazards. The EW4ALL project seeks to provide all Fijians, particularly those living in vulnerable and remote communities, with timely, reliable and actionable information before natural disasters strike. By strengthening the capacity of Fijian authorities and communities, the initiative will better prepare the nation for the devastating impacts of tropical cyclones, floods, droughts and other extreme weather events.
The final validation workshop gathered national stakeholders, international experts, civil society organizations and pillar leads including the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), together with the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Fiji National Disaster Management Office and Fiji Meteorological Service. The workshop saw the finalization of operational strategies and implementation plans for the enhancement of Fiji’s early warning systems.
Early warning systems for vulnerable communities
Isoa Talemaibua, permanent secretary for the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, said, “This first-ever GCF project proposal for Fiji ensures that our communities, particularly the most vulnerable, are equipped to act before disaster strikes. The project is a significant step toward building national resilience and reducing the socio-economic costs of climate disasters.”
Abduvakkos Abdurahmanov, deputy resident representative for the UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji, added, “By integrating local knowledge with advanced technology and working closely with traditional leaders, women’s groups, and youth networks, Fiji is ensuring that its early warning systems are tailored to the unique needs of every community across the country. This will not only help save lives but also empower Fijians to take charge of their own safety and preparedness.”
Fiji government representatives, United Nations (UN) agencies and other key stakeholders first convened at the Grand Pacific Hotel to develop a Green Climate Fund (GCF) proposal to address challenges and improve the effectiveness of Fiji’s Early Warning Systems (EWS) in March 2024. Click here to read the full story.
