The Government of Japan provides funding for Improvement of Disaster Risk Management to the Government of the Republic of Fiji of approximately Three hundred million Japanese Yen (JPY 300,000,000.00) in a ceremony that will be hosted by the Ministry of Works, Transport and Public Utilities in its conference room, 4th Floor, Nasilivata House at 10.00am on Friday 20th April, 2012. The Exchange Notes will be signed between the Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Fiji, H.E. Eiichi Oshima and Mr. Francis Kean, the Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Works, Transport and Public Utilities, to formalise Japan’s commitment towards this project.

This Grant Aid scheme is aimed at promoting international co-operation in the field of disaster management by providing equipment for disaster management based on Japan’s experience last year, designed in accordance with the “Basic Guidelines for Reconstruction in response to the Great East Japan Earthquake”.

Japan recognises the hardship Fiji experienced during the recent floods that caused many homeless, forced evacuations and cut off access to bridges and highways and even casualties. The provision of equipments such as weather forecasting instruments and observing equipment for earthquake will assist Fiji in predicting disasters such as flood-tide, cyclones, earthquakes, tsunamis and climate changes. This would save more lives and allow time for people to prepare ahead for future natural disasters.

It is hoped that this contribution from the Government and people of Japan to the Government of the Republic of Fiji, will be an added benefit for the people of Fiji, as well as an opportunity to promote the importance of appropriate upgrading and maintenance of Disaster Management facilities.

Japan’s assistance to these projects indicates its commitment to contribute to the improvement of the living standards and welfare of people in Fiji and it is hoped that this assistance will help further strengthen the friendly ties between the Governments and the people of Fiji and Japan.