A new agreement signed yesterday will bolster emergency management cooperation between New Zealand and Fiji, says Minister for Emergency Management Kieran McAnulty.
Minister McAnulty is in Fiji this week as well as travel to Vanuatu to strengthen cooperation on natural disaster response.
The Memorandum of Cooperation between New Zealand’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Fiji National Disaster Management Office will help to strengthen disaster resilience, response, and recovery capacities of both countries.
“Our countries have had each other’s backs during emergency weather situations. Fiji have shared their knowledge and skilled team members with New Zealand through some of our toughest times and we are extremely grateful for their friendship,” Kieran McAnulty said.
The visit included a Coin Presentation ceremony in commendation of the efforts and contribution made by a 34-member team deployed by the Government of Fiji to provide support in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle.
New Zealand will contribute FJD$3.45 million to Fiji’s National Disaster Management Office to support emergency management initiatives in Fiji. This funding is being provided through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade International Development Cooperation Programme.
Minister McAnulty says, “New Zealand and our Pacific whānau have a proud history of supporting each other whenever severe weather hits, and working together on recovery and resilience.”
“Fiji and Vanuatu have a wealth of experience in dealing with natural disasters such as cyclones, tsunami, and earthquakes. I’m really looking forward to learning from them, and to see what help we can offer,” says Minister McAnulty.
