1. GOVERNMENT LOOKS AT GIS TO MITIGATE IMPACTS OF NATURAL DISASTERS – Government will continue to increase its efforts to use space technology and geospatial information system (GIS) as a way of predicting and mitigating the impacts of natural disasters.
2. HEALTH MINISTRY CAUTION’S PUBLIC FOLLOWING ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS – The Health Ministry is advising the public to maintain clean and hygienic surroundings following recent adverse weather conditions that affected most parts of the Central and Eastern Division.
1. GOVERNMENT LOOKS AT GIS TO MITIGATE IMPACTS OF NATURAL DISASTERS
Government will continue to increase its efforts to use space technology and geospatial information system (GIS) as a way of predicting and mitigating the impacts of natural disasters.
This was revealed during the five day training on the applications of GIS and geospatial data management for disaster risk reduction which got underway at the JJ’s on the park this morning.
In opening the workshop, deputy secretary for the Ministry of Rural & Maritime Development and National Disaster Management, Mr Setareki Tale said that the training is timely given the frequency of natural disasters affecting Fiji in the past.
“As of 2009, Fiji reported 124 natural disasters in the past 37 years. Tropical cyclones accounted for 50 per cent, followed by floods (33 per cent) and earthquakes (8 per cent).
“The training allows participants to gain some knowledge on geospatial data management for disaster risk reduction that would assist in establishing geospatial portal for disaster risk management in the Fiji Government,” Mr Tale added.
The 5 day training was made possible with the support received by the UN ESCAP and the Korean Government through KOICA for the funding and the provision of technical expertise.
The training is also part of a commitment made in Bangkok with the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) to enhance space technology for disaster risk reduction by establishing a national geo-portal for disaster risk management.
More than 15 government officials are currently attending the 5 day workshop which included the Divisional Commissioners.
-ENDS-
2. HEALTH MINISTRY CAUTION’S PUBLIC FOLLOWING ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
The Health Ministry is advising the public to maintain clean and hygienic surroundings following recent adverse weather conditions that affected most parts of the Central and Eastern Division.
Health Minister Dr Neil Sharma said that recent weather conditions can often cause illness if the public doesn’t take extra caution.
“Cleanliness and proper hygiene should be maintained at all times to reduce the chances of contracting diseases. Boiling all drinking water prior to consumption is important”, Minister Sharma said.
“People with illnesses such as diabetes and blood pressure should take extra care as contaminated water increases the chances of infection.”
“The public is encouraged to actively participate in cleaning up their surroundings and discarding any receptacles that may contain stagnant water”, Dr Sharma added.
Meanwhile, the Health Ministry has advised that the CWM Hospital has resumed normal operations from today. All services offered at the CWM are now back to its normal operating schedule.
-ENDS-