Natural disasters

The training was conducted by Adventist Development and Relief Agency.

A statement said “The program, called “Disaster Ready Church” (DRC), is designed to educate community members, including youths and church leaders, on how to respond during different types of disasters, including before, during, and after a disaster strikes.”

“The participants are taught how to identify different types of disasters and what actions they should take to stay safe. They also learn how to move to evacuation centers and how to look after themselves and others at the centers.”

Rarotonga and some of the Cook Islands Pa Enua (outer islands) reported record waves and flooding that damaged homes businesses, during a week record visitor numbers had been expected.

Muri Beach Club resort manager Liana Scott said the waves were as high as during a cyclone.

King tides had been forecast to coincide with the storm, but even then the height of the waves and the distance the swell came ashore was a surprise.

The National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) launched its 'Find my Evacuation Centre' messaging system on Tuesday, saying disasters such as cyclones demanded a quick response of accurate information from the authorities to the public.

Director Vasiti Soko said the Short Message Service or SMS would be used to deliver communication to Fijians during disasters.

Soko said with the cyclone season on the horizon, the service would help people identify their nearest evacuation centre and also locate the nearest disaster management officials.

The training was offered by the Department of Climate Change (DoCC) and Vanuatu Meteorology & Geo-hazards Department (VMGD) in schools as well.

The aim was to inform and build community resilience through information on Climate, Climate Change and Natural Disasters.

Another aim was to educate the vulnerable communities to ensure resilience building occurs and to inform people that Climate Change is an urgent environmental matter that needs to be addressed using practical solutions that will assist them to address its impacts in future.

Vanuatu was hit by TC Harold in April and residents on Tanna have been affected by ashfall from the Yasur volcano. 

The two disasters have caused devastation to properties and vegetation.

Vanuatu National Youth Council (VNYC) through the current leadership of President Morry Rueben and its executive would like to see that the VNYC secretariat and its members including young people be participative and supportive during these times.

The ‘Isi Haos’ Product is more than shelter.

The houses come in different packages with a 3,000 litre water tank, an underground well and solar power, available from Vt1.2 up to Vt3 million.

Executive General Manager of NBV’s Rural Banking and Financial Inclusion, John Aruhuri, said the product takes into account the situation of the country.

“We continue to face a variety of disasters including the challenge of climate change year after year.”

“We (NBV) design this product to provide a safe and secure housing for everyone.”

“Human and economic losses from disasters cannot continue at current levels if we are going to progress with the Sustainable Development Goals,” the Deputy Secretary-General said at the opening on Wednesday evening.

Held every two years since the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami to discuss disaster reduction, the 2017 Global Platform – the fifth such event to date – is bringing together some 6,000 Heads of State, policy makers, disaster risk managers, civil society and other participants.