Siuniu better prepared for climate and disaster risks

19 September 2018, 12:00AM

The remote community of Siuniu, Falealili has successfully completed the Community Disaster and Climate Risk Management (C.D.C.R.M.) programme.

The programme is a comprehensive government initiative that aims to enhance community resilience building in response to climate and disaster risks, a press statement said.

The Disaster Management Office takes the leading role in coordinating and supporting key implementing agencies in executing the programme to Samoa’s communities.

Samoa Red Cross, who was also the main facilitators of the Siuniu pilot C.D.C.R.M., successfully executed the programme with financial support from UN Women and technical support from the response agencies to include the Fire and Emergency Services Authority, the Samoa Family Health Association, Nuanua Ole Alofa (N.O.L.A.) and the Meteorology Division. 

According to the statement, a “Cyclone Mane Simulation Exercise” was conducted on August 24, 2018 to conclude the programme and prior to the simulation exercise; Siuniu community went through a series of village response teams’ trainings such as the first aid, shelter management, search and rescue, project management, initial damage assessment etc. 

During such trainings, the community was given the opportunity to present natural disasters and hazards that their community had experienced over the past 20 years and voice local concerns and enquiries to the response agencies present,” the statement said.  

The programme was also an avenue to advocate for protection, gender based violence in emergencies and gender in disaster planning that promotes having women directly involved in planning and action in times of disasters or when other humanitarian assistance is required, highlighted the statement. 

It is of great importance that the needs of women and girls are recognised and addressed during disasters, it further stated.

 The Tropical Cyclone Mane simulation exercise helped the community to have a feel of what should be done when faced with a cyclone by utilising the skills and knowledge they obtained from the response teams trainings, said the statement. 

Upon the completion of the C.D.C.R.M. programme, Siuniu community has now developed and established their Village Disaster and Climate Management Plan that will be instantly activated should a declaration of disaster occurs. Certificates were also awarded for first aid trainees in the community, which certifies and qualifies them to carry out first aid work whenever and wherever required.

19 September 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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