National Disaster Awareness Week 8th - 13th October, 2012

PSC Circular No. 61/2012

To: Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments                                      File Ref: 29/632/03

Subject: National Disaster Awareness Week 8th – 13th October, 2012    Date: 30/08/2012

1.0 The National Disaster Awareness Week will be observed from 8th – 13th October, 2012.

2.0 The theme for 2012 is “Making Cities/Towns/Communities/ Villages Resilient”.

3.0 This annual event is aimed at drawing the attention of all government agencies, private sectors, civil societies and most importantly the general public on the importance of having basic knowledge on disaster risk management and to have a proactive approach to disaster risk preparedness.

4.0 The locations of towns, cities and communities in Fiji make them vulnerable to hazards such as flooding, storm surges, cyclones and Tsunami. Levuka Town, the only town in the Eastern Division is prone to cyclones, storm surges and tsunami. Nevertheless communities and villages in this Division will face the brunt of these hazards due their vulnerability and remoteness.

5.0 In light of the above, the Eastern Division has been selected to lead the awareness campaign for 2012. Activities that will be included in the Awareness Programme includes Disaster Risk Management Courses; i.e. Emergency Operations Centres [EOC], Initial Damage Assessment [IDA] Course from 24 – 28th September for all stakeholders that are involved during emergency operations and also assist in the conduct of initial damage assessments for response within 48- 72 hours.

6.0 The Pacific Community focused Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction [PCIDRR]; the NGO that works very closely with the National Disaster Management Office will conduct the Disaster Risk Reduction [DRR] program for villages beginning from 17 th of September, 2012. The Community Disaster Plan developed during the training will be tested through Simulation Exercise which is also part of activities planned for the National Disaster Awareness Week.

7.0 The official launching of the National Disaster Awareness Week will be held at Nasau Park, Levuka on the 8th of October 2012. This will be followed by the tour of booths by chief guest and officials invited to the launch.

8.0 Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments are requested to provide the necessary support in preparations and also during the week including the release of staff where appropriate to participate in the actual conduct of the awareness programmes.

9.0 Further information and clarification may be directed to Mrs. Shakuntla Kumar at the National Disaster Management Office on e-mail address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or telephone 3313400/3216457/3319250 and the Commissioner Eastern Division on telephone 3216461.

Parmesh Chand
Permanent Secretary for the Public Service