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| Introduction |
Earthquakes |
Other
Disasters |
Partners |
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Country Name: Republic of
the Fiji Islands
Region: South Pacific
Area: 18,330 sq km of land area and 1.3 million sq km of
the ocean
Topography: Archipelagic state with 330 islands of which
about one third are inhabited
Population: 840,201 (2004)
Capital: Suva city
Official Language: English
Main Industries: Agriculture, Textiles, Tourism, Construction,
and Mining
(Source: World Bank & Fiji Government Official Website)
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FIJI
Fiji is an archipelagic state that
lies in the southern part of the Pacific Ocean, midway
between the Equator and the South Pole. It is a country
situated within the Pacific Rim of Fire, the zone of
earthquakes and volcanoes which surround the Pacific
Ocean, making it susceptible to natural disasters.
However, there are no volcanoes in Fiji and the number
of earthquakes is comparatively less to the other most
active areas around the Pacific. But, the risk from
earthquakes remains relatively high even by world standards
due to the size of the islands and the density of the
population (Fiji Mineral Resources Department).
The major islands of Fiji include, Viti Levu (10,429
sq km), Vanua Levu (5,556 sq km),
Taveuni (470 sq km), Kadavu (411 sq km), Gau (140 sq
km), and Koro (104 sq km)
(Source: Fiji Government Official Website)
(Map Source: en.wikipedia.org)
In terms of earthquake vulnerability, the two major
islands are Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. Viti Levu is
one of the most populous islands, as it is the home
for one of the two main cities in Fiji. Suva, the capital
city of Fiji, and Lautoka are the important cities.
With regard to the seismic activity, the north-eastern
part of the archipelago is the most active in Fiji,
and the largest earthquakes have taken place in this
area. Since 1918, when reliable recording began, potentially
dangerous earthquakes of the magnitude of 6 or more
have occurred on an average of one in every three years.
According to the historical earthquake reports, severe
earthquakes were reported to occur in 1850 at Kadavu,
in 1869 at upper Rewa River, in 1884 at Macata, in
1902 at Yasawas, in 1919 at Rabi, in 1932 at Rabi and
Koro, in 1953 at Suva, and in 1979 at Taveuni. The
1953 Suva earthquake that caused a damage costing approximately
$500,000 (1953 values) and eight deaths is still remembered
by the people in Suva and in the surrounding earthquake-prone
areas. (Source: Fiji Government Official Website & Fiji
Mineral Resources Department)
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Fiji
is also vulnerable to other natural disasters such
as the
wind storms, floods and drought. Disaster data reveal
that wind storms have been hitting the country in regular
intervals in a span of one in one and half years. Ever
since 1931 till 2007, 30 storms hit the country, leaving
a devastating impact on its economy and scores of people
becoming homeless. In terms of the number of casualties
in the period of 1931 ? 2007, 501 people were killed
and 745,619 were affected. In the same period, the
country was also hit by floods, seven times, leaving
38 people
dead and affecting the lives of 223,824 people. On
par with water related disasters, Fiji is also affected
by
drought. There were two events recorded in the past
60 years, affecting the lives of 294,455 people. (Source:
CRED: EM-DAT)
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UNCRD
in Fiji coordinates its work along with its partner,
National Disaster Management Office (NDMO). NDMO is
a unit within the Ministry responsible for disaster
management, wherein the day to day functions of the
disaster management are conducted. NDMO deals with
disaster management at the national level. It is the
prime policy formulating body and is also responsible
for disaster rehabilitation. One of its core activities
includes disaster management training and public education
on par with its coordinating requirements with other
governmental departments.
The UNCRD-NDMO partnership is focussed both at the
policy advocacy level as well as at the community level
in the field of disaster preparedness with special
focus on schools. The UNCRD recognizes the importance
of working with the government on par with the local
NGOs and the Civil Society Organizations so that the
interventions are sustainable.
The UNCRD also ropes in the expertise of local scientific
institutions such as the Fiji Institute of Technology
(FIT), the Centre for Appropriate Technology and Development
(CATD) and the Fiji Institute of Engineers (FIE). In
order to mainstream earthquake preparedness as an integral
part of education and for facilitating wider dissemination
of information, the UNCRD collaborates with the Fiji
Social Service Council (FSSC). The local government
bodies such as the Public Works Department (PWD) are
also involved for greater accountability and implementation
of the project at the community level.
The UNCRD efforts in making the schools safer habitats
for learning are realized with the active participation
of its partners and the involvement of the community.
PROJECT PARTNERS
National Disaster Management Office (NDMO)
Fiji Institute of Technology (FIT)
Centre for Appropriate Technology and Development (CATD)
Fiji Institute of Engineers (FIE)
Fiji Social Service Council (FSSC)
Public Works Department (PWD)
■ PROJECT OUTCOME ■
( from "Reducing Vulnerability of
School Children to Earquakes", UNCRD 2009)
Related Publications:
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