LocationsFiji Takes Critical Step in Climate Preparedness with Early Warnings for All Project
October 1, 2024
Green Climate Fund Early Warnings for All (EW4LL) Project Validation Workshop.
Suva, Fiji – 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 Green Climate Fund (GCF) Early Warnings for All (EW4ALL) Project proposal.
This landmark initiative aims to enhance Fiji’s early warning systems, a critical step in bolstering Fiji’s resilience in the face of increasing climate-related hazards. The EW4ALL project seeks to ensure 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.
As a nation susceptible to climate-induced disasters, the importance of early warning systems is not just essential, but urgent. Over the past decade, the nation has faced more frequent and intense cyclones, causing widespread damage to infrastructure, homes, and livelihoods, as well as the loss of life.
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.
Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Isoa Talemaibua, emphasized that early warning systems both save lives and safeguard livelihoods.
Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Isoa Talemaibua.
“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 towards building national resilience and reducing the socio-economic costs of climate disasters,” he said.
UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji Deputy Resident Representative, Abduvakkos Abdurahmanov said: “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.”
UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji Deputy Resident Representative, Abduvakkos Abdurahmanov.
The EW4ALL project is a collaborative effort between the Government of Fiji, the UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji, UNDRR, WMO, ITU, and IFRC. The initiative was first launched by the United Nations Secretary-General in 2022.
For more information, please contact:
Mohseen Dean | Programme Analyst – Resilience and Climate Change | (E) mohseen.dean@undp.org
Ashna Kumar | Communications Associate | (E) Ashna.kumar@undp.org
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