FBDRC is one of the nine (9) councils of Fiji Commerce & Employers Federation and has been working closing with the relevant stakeholders to ensure Risk Reduction, Preparedness, and timely Response & Recovery.
Mission
Provide a platform for the private sector to both manage impacts to themselves, and support government, civil society and development partners in building climate resilience and preparing for and responding to disasters and emergencies.
Our Work
Stakeholder Engagement (Private Sector, Public Sector, NDMO, Development Partners & other stakeholders) towards:
Our Theme
Resilient Businesses Ready for Tomorrow
Upcoming Activities
Regional Outreach – Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change and Resilience (PACRES) Peer to Peer Learning Program for the Private Sector in Climate Finance & Resilience will include a tour of Private Sector participants from the other Pacific to Fiji. This tour to Fiji in May 2023 by participants from some 10-12 Pacific Island Countries will include visits to a number of entities in Fiji. This peer-to-peer learning study tour is planned for in joint collaboration with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) under the Pacific Resilience Partnership Program.
Capacity Building for FCEF/FBDRC Members – Business Continuity Planning (BCP) is planned for the months ahead in the respective Divisions for FCEF members.
Stakeholder Meeting for Flood Affected Townships – Discussions are underway with the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) for joint stakeholders’ meetings in flood affected towns.
Impending Dry Spell Situation in Fiji – National Disaster Management Office (NDMO)
Fiji is weeks away from the end of the 2022/2023 Cyclone Season. Although Fiji was spared from any major or destructive disaster such as tropical cyclones this season, the conclusion of this year’s cyclone season must not lead people to become complacent towards preparing for any type of disaster.
As responsible citizens, we must continue to remain on guard and take proactive measures to ensure our safety and the safety of our individual communities whenever a disaster strikes.
Given that the cyclone season will soon end, the general public is reminded that we are now approaching the drier season of the year. In Fiji, the annual dry season begins in May and ends in October.
The Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS) has already recorded “significantly drier than usual” conditions in the Central Division and most parts of the Lau Group for the month of March & April 2023. Rainfalls recorded in Suva and Nausori were less than 50 percent of the usual expected amount of rainfall in these areas.
Since November 2022 till March 2023 the Monasavu Hydro Catchment has been received below average rainfall. The Monasavu catchment has received only 1,927.10mm of rainfall as compared to the long-term average of 2,802.50mm, which is 68.76% of its long-term average rainfall. This trend is very alarming because the Monasavu Hydroelectricity Scheme is required 24/7 for 365 days to meet the daily electricity demand for the customers in Viti Levu.
According to the FMS, suppressed rainfall extended into April, with abnormally drier-than-usual conditions affecting the Central Division for most of the days in April.
The seven-day weather outlook released by FMS this last week indicates some showers over the Central Division and the Lau Group, however, the rainfall amount which is expected is unlikely to provide relief to the water stress currently experienced in these two areas.
The FMS has also advised that the May – July 2023 Rainfall Outlook does not indicate the persistence of “abnormally dry conditions” in these areas as rainfall amount is likely to decrease subsequently as the country transitions into the dry season.
This important information forecasted by the FMS is crucial in ensuring that we prepare our households and communities for any situation that may arise during such times.
The National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) wishes to remind the general public to use any information released by FMS and to prepare accordingly. We must be proactive in our approach to ensure these forecasted situations do not have a drastic impact on our communities and individual households.
We must learn to adhere to advisories issued by authorities and follow them strictly.
The NDMO is also reminding the general public that during such times, access to water will be affected, therefore, the need to ensure the wise management of water in our homes and communities.
Low or poor hydrology can also affect Fiji’s ability to generate electricity from the Monasavu & Nadarivatu Hydroelectric dams which could lead to power supply disruptions.
“We need to conserve and use water and electricity sparingly to minimize the adverse impacts of the dry spell/drought in Fiji”.
A message from the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO).
Dry Spell Situation – Impacts and Challenges on Water – Water Authority of Fiji
Chief Operating Officer of Water Authority, Fiji, Mr. Seru Soderberg presented on the impact of the current dry spell and challenges & implications ahead during the Fiji Business Disaster Resilience Council’s meeting last week.
During his presentation, Mr. Soderberg highlighted that in the Central Division, the rainfall has continued to be significantly suppressed, with less than half of the normal monthly rainfall being received from the Suva to Nausori corridor.
He also mentioned that the amount of rainfall is likely to decrease as the country transitions from the Wet Season (Tropical Cyclone Season) to the Dry Season.
Mr. Soderberg also shared that the recent abnormally north westerly winds have persisted over the Fiji group, leading to drier-than-usual conditions in the Central Division.
FBDRC remains committed to working with its partners to enhance the disaster resilience of the private sector in Fiji. FBDRC and FCEF were grateful to Mr. Soderberg for sharing these valuable insights to its members, and FCEF looks forward to continued collaboration with its stakeholders to build a more resilient Fiji.
Is your Organisation registered with the Fiji Commerce & Employers Federation (FCEF)?
Does your Organisation have a representative on the Fiji Business Disaster Resilience Council (FBDRC)?
Enquire now, email employer@fcef.com.fj and get connected to FBDRC.