Disaster Preparedness and Response

Disaster Preparedness and Response is one of three core mandated programmes for the Society. The Society undertakes its mandated role in accordance with the Fiji National Disaster Management Plan 1995. The strength of the Society to respond to disasters large and small lies in its body of trained volunteers whom reside in a network of 15 branches around the country. The branches along with the DSCC(N) and DSCC(W) link up to support the Disaster Coordinator maintain a high level of response during a disaster and the supply of relief items to affected people following a disaster.

The Society has since 2005, stepped up its level of preparedness bystrengthening its response capabilities through the three-year Disaster Management Partnership Programe (PDMP) funded by AusAID through the Australian Red Cross.

Through Partnership, the Society has trained around 30 volunteers each year to be members of the Emergency Response Team (ERT). ERTs are deployed under the respective DSCC during a disaster. Also under SEP, the Society has increased the number of pre-positioned disaster preparedness containers around the country from 12 to 24. The containers currently hold relief items valued at $700,000 in trust for beneficiaries of future disasters.

The Society’s disaster response capabilities have also been enhanced with the provision of very high frequency (VHF) radios, portable VHF transmitters as well as satellite phones by the New Zealand Red Cross. These communication resources have proven to be extremely useful especially when responding to disasters over a large area and where traditional forms of telecommunications are not available. The VHF radios especially, help deployed ERTs keep in contact with each other while in the field.

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Fiji National Disaster Management Plan 1995

Under the Plan which was put into effect under a cabinet directive in 1995, the Society is a full member of the National Disaster Management Council (NDMC). Under the NDMC are three committees:

Mitigation & Prevention Committee;
Preparedness Committee; and
Emergency Committee.

The Society is a member of (2) and (3).

As a member of the Preparedness Committee, the Society is responsible for Community awareness activities including National Disaster Awareness week and for the review of public sector preparedness arrangements. It will initiate and guide the preparation of disaster awareness materials and initiate other activities to improve disaster preparedness in Fiji.
Additionally, as a member of the Emergency Committee, the Society will convene with other members as necessary during such a situation to review the emergency operations and take policy and operational decisions for the operation. The committee also informs the National Disaster Management Council and Cabinet on its decisions and operations.

In terms of the Society’s Principle Role & Responsibility under the 1995 Plan, the Society is specifically responsible for:

Assisting in public awareness campaign and training through branch officials and national office;
Assisting in post-disaster survey and assessment particularly in the area of welfare services in liaison with Disaster Controllers;
Issuing of clothing and basic household items such as cooking/eating utensils and provision of emergency shelter such as tarpaulin if available;
Seeking assistance from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies for international relief when required;
Devising and undertaking other relief measures as appropriate in coordination with Disaster Controllers;
Assisting in tracing of missing persons.

All response and relief efforts are done in accordance with the 7 Fundamental Principles of the Movement and the Code of Conduct set by the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement for members of the Movement to follow during humanitarian crisis situations.

Disaster Assesment

ERT

Disaster Week

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Tracing Services

The Society’s Tracing service is to be used only for periods where there is:

A natural disaster;
Mass civil disturbance;
Armed conflict; and
Displacement of persons affected and/or loss of traditional communication forms such as telephones, emails and faxes as a direct result of circumstances as described above (1-3).

For requests from outside of Fiji, please note that in situations of armed conflict, you are required to send your request through the Red Cross Society in your country of residence. Note also that your message must be brief and should not contain information of a sensitive nature i.e. political, military or in anyway related to the conflict situation as these forms may be accessed by armed parties to a conflict. This service is not for use by enquirers who wish to locate relatives they have not seen or heard from in years outside of situations described earlier. Such enquiries may be directed to the police station in the district of the person(s) last known address. For circumstances as described in (1) and (2) above please download and fill in this form and fax to (679) 3303818. Fiji residents can also use this form if their enquiry is related to (3) but note that the caution for non-Fiji residents also applies.

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Code of Conduct

Principle Commitments:

The Humanitarian imperative comes first.
Aid is given regardless of the race, creed or nationality of the recipients and without adverse distinction of any kind. Aid priorities are calculated on the basis of need alone.
Aid will not be used to further a particular political or religious standpoint.
We shall endeavour not to act as instruments of government foreign policy.
We shall respect culture and custom.
We shall attempt to build disaster response on local capacities.
Ways shall be found to involve programme beneficiaries in the management of relief aid.
Relief aid must strive to reduce future vulnerabilities to disaster as well as meeting basic needs.
We hold ourselves accountable to both those we seek to assist and those from whom we accept resources.
In our information, publicity and advertising activities, we shall recognise disaster victims as dignified human beings, not hopeless objects.

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