Government of the Republic of Fiji
Government of the Republic of Fiji
04/29/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/28/2024 19:24
MINISTER SAKIASI DITOKA'S SPEECH AT THE
Mr Wayne Snell - Deputy Executive Director of the Australian Civil-Military Centre,
Mr Nidhirat Srisirirojanakorn - Humanitarian Affairs Officer of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Distinguished Participants and Facilitator Team,
Bula vinaka and a very good morning to you all.
It is with great pleasure that I stand before you today to share a few sentiments for this crucial training program on humanitarian civil-military coordination. I must add that last night's dinner provided a valuable opportunity for networking and fostering mutual acquaintance and I am sure that it was beneficial to meaningful interactions and aided in the establishment of connections among all our attendees.
Like many other nations, Fiji and the Pacific Countries are no strangers to the devastating impact of disasters. Cyclones, floods, and other emergencies have tested our resilience time and again. When disaster strikes, humanitarian actors' ability to reach the populations in need and the affected populations' access to assistance and services is often constrained for various reasons. The military's logistical expertise, transportation capabilities, and manpower can bridge the gap when civilian resources are stretched thin. In the face of such challenges, it is vital that we work together for our people, leveraging the expertise and resources of both civilian and military entities to mount an effective response.
Recent regional deployments for Tropical Cyclone Judy and Kevin in Vanuatu and Tropical Cyclone Gabriele in New Zealand in 2023 have underscored the paramount role of civil-military coordination in our region. The rapid mobilization of our response team and relief items, made possible with the support of our national military and our neighboring foreign military, is a testament to this. The cooperation between our civilian agencies and military forces can make a crucial difference in the aftermath of a catastrophe. Our collective response must go beyond borders, politics, and individual interests to ensure the safety and well-being of our citizens.
Civil-military coordination is about saving lives, alleviating suffering, and rebuilding communities in the aftermath of disaster. It is about ensuring that no one is left behind, regardless of their circumstances or location. It is about harnessing our society's collective strength to overcome adversity and emerge stronger than before.
Civil-military coordination has been one of the core components in Fiji's Disaster Management Arrangement and capacity-building program. The task of the Civil-Military Coordination Unit of the National Emergency Operations Centre, the establishment of the Fiji National Emergency Response Team and the recently concluded National Simulation Exercise extensively practiced and tested collaboration between civilians and the military in responding to humanitarian emergencies. However, this collaboration is not without its challenges. Effective communication, mutual respect, and a clear delineation of roles and responsibilities are essential to ensure a harmonious and effective working relationship between civilian and military entities.
Significantly, this training program represents a step forward in our efforts to enhance coordination among all stakeholders involved in disaster management. I wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Australian Civil-Military Coordination Centre and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance for their support and partnership in this effort. Your support has empowered us to build a more resilient future for the people of Fiji and the wider Pacific region.
I congratulate the participants who have been selected from more than 100 applicants for this training. By bringing together representatives from government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the military, we are fostering a culture of collaboration and preparedness. Your presence and participation are crucial for the success of this program and for effective humanitarian response.
Throughout this training, you will have the opportunity to develop skills, share best practices, and forge meaningful partnerships that will serve us well in times of crisis. From joint planning and information sharing to resource mobilization and communication strategies to every aspect of civil-military coordination, to ensure that our response efforts are as effective and efficient as possible.
Equally important to note; is our interoperability as players in this civil-military training, interoperability is a military terminology, but in civil and layman's term it denotes the vitality of working together, forming strategic alliances and cooperation for the attainment of our set objectives. I urge our military actors to use this training to work closely with our civilian members in ensuring the effectiveness of communication, language and training when we cooperate during disaster.
But let us remember that our goal extends further than the confines of this training program. It is about building a culture of preparedness and resilience that pervades every level of our society. It is about empowering communities to take proactive measures to mitigate the impact of disasters and to recover swiftly when they occur.
As we embark on this journey, let us embrace the spirit of collaboration, solidarity, and innovation. Fiji will continue contributing to this platform by sharing lessons learned, best practices, and active participation in the Regional Consultative Group Meeting on Humanitarian Civil-Military Coordination for Asia and the Pacific.
Moving forward, we must continue to invest in capacity-building initiatives, strengthen regional cooperation, and leverage the collective wisdom of our diverse communities. Please, allow me to remind you all, that we must share a common goal and that is to have a consolidated approach that espouses to benefit our people during times of crisis. Let us be actively engaged in this one week course with the resolve to reinforce the humanitarian action that is to be undertaken with our political and military actors. Let us draw strength from our shared commitment to safeguarding the lives of our people. And let us never waver in our determination to build a safer, more resilient Fiji and the Pacific for generations to come.
Thank you, and may this training program be a witness to our unwavering resolve in the face of adversity. With those few words I take great pleasure in officially opening this highly significant Civil-Military Coordination Training.
Vinaka Vakalevu. Thank you.
Mr Nidhirat Srisirirojanakorn - Humanitarian Affairs Officer of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Distinguished Participants and Facilitator Team,
Bula vinaka and a very good morning to you all.
It is with great pleasure that I stand before you today to share a few sentiments for this crucial training program on humanitarian civil-military coordination. I must add that last night's dinner provided a valuable opportunity for networking and fostering mutual acquaintance and I am sure that it was beneficial to meaningful interactions and aided in the establishment of connections among all our attendees.
Like many other nations, Fiji and the Pacific Countries are no strangers to the devastating impact of disasters. Cyclones, floods, and other emergencies have tested our resilience time and again. When disaster strikes, humanitarian actors' ability to reach the populations in need and the affected populations' access to assistance and services is often constrained for various reasons. The military's logistical expertise, transportation capabilities, and manpower can bridge the gap when civilian resources are stretched thin. In the face of such challenges, it is vital that we work together for our people, leveraging the expertise and resources of both civilian and military entities to mount an effective response.
Recent regional deployments for Tropical Cyclone Judy and Kevin in Vanuatu and Tropical Cyclone Gabriele in New Zealand in 2023 have underscored the paramount role of civil-military coordination in our region. The rapid mobilization of our response team and relief items, made possible with the support of our national military and our neighboring foreign military, is a testament to this. The cooperation between our civilian agencies and military forces can make a crucial difference in the aftermath of a catastrophe. Our collective response must go beyond borders, politics, and individual interests to ensure the safety and well-being of our citizens.
Civil-military coordination is about saving lives, alleviating suffering, and rebuilding communities in the aftermath of disaster. It is about ensuring that no one is left behind, regardless of their circumstances or location. It is about harnessing our society's collective strength to overcome adversity and emerge stronger than before.
Civil-military coordination has been one of the core components in Fiji's Disaster Management Arrangement and capacity-building program. The task of the Civil-Military Coordination Unit of the National Emergency Operations Centre, the establishment of the Fiji National Emergency Response Team and the recently concluded National Simulation Exercise extensively practiced and tested collaboration between civilians and the military in responding to humanitarian emergencies. However, this collaboration is not without its challenges. Effective communication, mutual respect, and a clear delineation of roles and responsibilities are essential to ensure a harmonious and effective working relationship between civilian and military entities.
Significantly, this training program represents a step forward in our efforts to enhance coordination among all stakeholders involved in disaster management. I wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Australian Civil-Military Coordination Centre and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance for their support and partnership in this effort. Your support has empowered us to build a more resilient future for the people of Fiji and the wider Pacific region.
I congratulate the participants who have been selected from more than 100 applicants for this training. By bringing together representatives from government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the military, we are fostering a culture of collaboration and preparedness. Your presence and participation are crucial for the success of this program and for effective humanitarian response.
Throughout this training, you will have the opportunity to develop skills, share best practices, and forge meaningful partnerships that will serve us well in times of crisis. From joint planning and information sharing to resource mobilization and communication strategies to every aspect of civil-military coordination, to ensure that our response efforts are as effective and efficient as possible.
Equally important to note; is our interoperability as players in this civil-military training, interoperability is a military terminology, but in civil and layman's term it denotes the vitality of working together, forming strategic alliances and cooperation for the attainment of our set objectives. I urge our military actors to use this training to work closely with our civilian members in ensuring the effectiveness of communication, language and training when we cooperate during disaster.
But let us remember that our goal extends further than the confines of this training program. It is about building a culture of preparedness and resilience that pervades every level of our society. It is about empowering communities to take proactive measures to mitigate the impact of disasters and to recover swiftly when they occur.
As we embark on this journey, let us embrace the spirit of collaboration, solidarity, and innovation. Fiji will continue contributing to this platform by sharing lessons learned, best practices, and active participation in the Regional Consultative Group Meeting on Humanitarian Civil-Military Coordination for Asia and the Pacific.
Moving forward, we must continue to invest in capacity-building initiatives, strengthen regional cooperation, and leverage the collective wisdom of our diverse communities. Please, allow me to remind you all, that we must share a common goal and that is to have a consolidated approach that espouses to benefit our people during times of crisis. Let us be actively engaged in this one week course with the resolve to reinforce the humanitarian action that is to be undertaken with our political and military actors. Let us draw strength from our shared commitment to safeguarding the lives of our people. And let us never waver in our determination to build a safer, more resilient Fiji and the Pacific for generations to come.
Thank you, and may this training program be a witness to our unwavering resolve in the face of adversity. With those few words I take great pleasure in officially opening this highly significant Civil-Military Coordination Training.
Vinaka Vakalevu. Thank you.