1. Who are we?

Introduction

Humanity faces growing challenges: a rising population, a warming planet, and growing inequalities of health, wellbeing and security between the rich and poor. The International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent Societies’ (IFRC) new global Strategy 2020 provides direction for its work in the face of these challenges. It also clarifies the Secretariat’s priorities in providing membership services to national societies.

Updated December 13, 2011 09:24:21

A month-long publich health emergency has been declared at Fiji's Nanoka Village, due to the typhoid outbreak Pacific Beat reported last week.

The Fiji Interim Government's Ministry of Health have deployed soldiers and police to monitor the situation and enforce a ban on mass gatherings and movement of the villagers. as well a national health team has been deployed to help the divisional team contain the disease.

Presenter: Geraldine Coutts

Fiji Health Ministry spokesman Peni Namotu

Strong growth in developing East Asia faces risks from global uncertainty and natural disasters

Press Release No:2012/160/EAP

Singapore, November 22, 2011 — Growth is still strong in developing East Asia, but continues to moderate mainly due to weakening external demand, underscoring the need for governments to refocus on reforms to increase domestic demand and productivity, says the World Bank in its latest East Asia and Pacific Economic Update released today.

The Ministry of Health is concerned about the recent report of water crisis on the island of Tuvalu.

Health Minister, Dr Neil Sharma said the Fijian Government was prepared to assist the Tuvaluan Government.

The cost of natural disasters from 1985 to 2011 has been estimated between $US450 - $US500 million with casualties for this period totaling 142.

This revelation was made today by the permanent secretary for Natural Disasters, Lieutenant Colonel Inia Seruiratu.

“For a small developing country like Fiji, this is quite huge. You will note that no disaster is budgeted for by Government,” Lt Col Seruiratu said.

Following extensive damage to homes caused by Tropical Cyclone Tomas on March 14 2010, forty-six families living in the worst affected areas of Vanua Levu now have new homes to live in.

When Tropical Cyclone Tomas crossed Fiji in 2010, it caused significant damage to homes and crops in the Northern and Eastern Divisions, and a State of Natural Disaster was declared on March 16 2010.

This report covers the period 1 January 2011 to 30 June 2011.

In brief

Summary:

The first half of 2011 saw major disaster events occurring in several countries including Australia,
Bangladesh, China, Japan, Myanmar, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Vanuatu. Many societies across the zone continue to maintain a high level of programming in several new disaster response operations and continued comprehensive post-disaster recovery activities, while others have started reviewing their development activities in line with IFRC’s newly adopted Strategy 2020.

Government has plans to adopt and implement a Tsunami Response Strategy.

Ministry of Provincial Development and National Disaster Management permanent secretary Lt Col Inia Seruiratu revealed this during the Fiji Disaster Management Workshop at the Novotel in Lami.

He said a draft had been put together in 2004 before the great Indian Ocean Tsunami.

“This draft has gone through critics, table top exercise and workshops, still we are not confident enough to implement it,” Lt Col Seruiratu said.

The Pacific region covers a vast geographical area comprising thousands of islands and atolls. The majority of Pacific Island countries contend with the challenges of smallness and geographic isolation. The Pacific Island countries are heavily aid-assisted.