PERSPECTIVE FROM A NEIGHBOURING PIC (FIJI) FIJI RESPONSE TEAM TO VANUATU (TC PAM)

LESSONS LEARNT SEQUENCE OF EVENTS

 Fiji in preparation for Super Cat5 TC PAM  Emergency meeting in Fiji

 Offer of assistance to Vanuatu  Diplomatic note of approval from Vanuatu  Note No: 13/2015 High Commission of Republic of Vanuatu to the Republic of Fiji dated 16 March 2015  Assessment team identified with 6hours notice to move – Phase 1  Courtesy call to Vanuatu Foreign Affairs Minister  Courtesy call to Vanuatu NDMO  Handing over of relief rations  Conduct assessment and report back to Fiji

DEPLOYMENT – PHASE 2

 ASSESSMENT TEAM IDENTIFIED TWO AREAS OF INTERVENTION

 ENGINEERS TROOP – CLEARING OF DEBRIS, STRUCTURAL DAMAGE ASSESSMENT (QS), CONSTRUCT TEMPORARY SHELTERS AND REHAB/RECONSTR.  HEALTH TEAM (MEDICAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH)

 STRENGTH OF 50 STRONG PERSONEL DEPLOYED TO VANUATU ON THE NZDF C130.

 30 ENGINEER PERS  12 HEALTH PERS(MEDICAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH)  8 SUPPORT STAFF (CSST) RELIEF AND RECOVERY OPERATIONS

 FRT TASKINGS FROM VANUATU NDMO

 MEMBER OF TWO CORRESSPONDING CLUSTERS – INFRASTRUCTURE CLUSTER AND HEALTH CLUSTER (COORDINATE TASKINGS)

 TWO QS DEPLOYED TO AMBRYM AND PAAMA TO CONDUCT DAMAGE ASSESSMENT

 INFRASTRUCTURE CLUSTER THROUGH VNDMO TASKED FIJI ENGINEERS TO ONESUA PRESBYTERIAN COLLEGE , MANUA AND TAKARA PRIMARY SCHOOLS

 HEALTH CLUSTER THROUGH VNDMO TASKED FIJI HEALTH TEAM TO LENAKEL HOSPITAL IN TANNA.

ENGINEERS & MEDICAL TEAMS AT WORK LESSONS LEARNT FROM NEIGHBOURING PIC (FIJI PERSPECTIVE)

 Decision (Political Will) to assist a neighboring Pacific Island Brother State in times of distraught and suffering in a more tangible manner.

 Fostering and strengthening Bi-lateral arrangements and relations.

 Need to follow proper diplomatic channels and protocols.

 Respect Sovereignty of Vanuatu.

 Fiji team at the disposal of Vanuatu authorities.  Taskings from respective clusters through VNDMO

 Work with in-country systems for better coordination.

 Respect country’s traditions and culture and ability to work and live with the people. (relief and rehab work)

 Appreciates SPC support and assistance to VNDMO – Mr Anthony Blake

 View VNDMO as the coordination center for all aspects of the relief/rehab/recons operations (assessments, information, reports, taskings etc.)

TENK YOU TU MAS