ADRA Fiji Honoured at Inaugural NERT Awards: Prime Minister Acknowledges First Responders and Partners in Disaster Readiness
A commendable milestone was marked in Fiji's disaster preparedness landscape last weekend on the 8th of July, as thirty-five civil servants were honoured for completing intensive training, forming Fiji's inaugural National Emergency Response Team (NERT). The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Fiji, was among the distinguished partners recognized at the NERT Awards ceremony for their ongoing support in disaster preparedness and resilience building.
The Prime Minister, Mr. Sitiveni Rabuka, personally commended the first responders and underscored the importance of establishing a standardized procedure for emergency response teams. The formation of NERT, he said, exemplified the Government of Fiji's commitment towards filling existing gaps and ensuring more efficient responses in future emergencies.
Over the years, ADRA Fiji has been instrumental in supporting the Fiji NDMO not only in response to disasters but also in preparing the nation for potential emergencies. The organization's initiatives have significantly enhanced Fiji's capability to tackle the adversities of natural catastrophes.
ADRA Fiji Country Director Iliapi Tuwai receives the award from Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka during the graduation dinner for the inaugural Fiji National Emergency Response Team (NERT) at Tanoa Waterfront, Lautoka. Picture: BALJEET SINGH (Fiji Times Newspaper)
"Recognising this need the Government of Fiji through the NDMO has taken decisive action to establish a Fiji National Emergency Response Team (NERT), demonstrating our commitment to bridging the existing gaps and ensuring a more efficient and effective response in future emergencies,” Prime Minister Rabuka stated.
The NERT mechanism, approved by the Cabinet on March 29 this year, aims to ensure prompt, coordinated responses from government agencies and humanitarian stakeholders during emergencies. The 35 participants in the inaugural NERT training program included civil servants from 19 different government agencies, marking a broad effort to build the nation's emergency response capacity.
ADRA Fiji was among the key partners lauded by the Prime Minister for their support in the inaugural NERT training program. Their contributions, in partnership with the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP) Disaster READY program, have been instrumental in the successful initiation of NERT.
"Our participation in this significant initiative has been driven by our unwavering commitment to build resilience and enhance Fiji's preparedness for disasters," a spokesperson for ADRA Fiji commented. "The recognition of our efforts is encouraging and further fuels our mission."
The NERT training program also saw participation from international observers and facilitators, including those from Vanuatu, the Australian Civil-Military Centre, and the Australian and New Zealand High Commissions. This international cooperation underscores the global emphasis on disaster preparedness and the crucial role that organizations like ADRA Fiji play in bolstering these efforts.