28 Jan 2017

Lessons learned for Fiji disaster authorities

6:50 pm on 28 January 2017

Fiji's Disaster Management Office says there is a need to improve its communication and coordination of its response to disasters.

The permanent secretary for disaster management, Meleti Bainimarama, says the office has tried to act on lessons learned from Cyclone Winston, which caused widespread destruction 11 months ago.

Mr Bainimarama told Fiji TV that a lot of line agencies were operating on their own, and that communication during disaster periods was patchy.

He says disaster officials are travelling across the country warning people in rural areas that it is current cyclone season, and the process of seeking evacuation shelter.