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\ad catchment project shows benefits
of intecratinc disaster risk and climate
chance manacement
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Ms Margareta Wahlström, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General for Disaster Risk
Reduction, says Fiji's work to address flooding in Nadi provides an example for developing countries on
integrating management of disaster and climate related risks.
In the Pacific, cyclones account for nearly 80% of all reported disasters. They are frequently accompanied by
floods, which cause further social and economic upheaval. According to current projections, climate change
and variability will intensify, increasing the frequency of high rainfall and cyclone events.
Until recently, Pacific Island countries and territories have been reactive rather than proactive in dealing with
flood preparedness and response. But this is changing.
The 2009 floods in Fiji caused an estimated FJD 330 million in damage and lost earnings, equivalent to
approximately 7% of the country's GDP. In March 2009, just two months after the flood waters receded, the
Fiji government launched its Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) demonstration project for
the Nadi catchment. Managed by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) through its Applied Science
& Technology Division, the objective of this GEF /UNEP /UNDP project was to improve flood preparedness by
introducing an integrated flood risk management approach within the Nadi basin.
The project built on an earlier flood response system by installing a network of hydrological monitoring stations
and it has worked with communities to build grassroots capacity to coordinate an early response. Communities
have been given assistance to develop their own disaster response plans and practise their implementation.
The project has also helped coordinate the work of government and non -government agencies by setting up
the Nadi Basin Catchment Committee.
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Government of Fiji
SPC '
CPS
SECIIENIRIPT
THE /MING COMMUNITY
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