Climate vulnerable communities can expect some respite with the Ministry of Agriculture to work with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation on strengthening climate resilience and improving food and nutrition security.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture – David Kolitagane noted that in the last 10 years Fiji has suffered from 33 Tropical Cyclones in addition to major floods and other natural disasters.

“To improve food and nutrition security in countries and regions that are prone to El Nino induced vulnerabilities, it will be implemented by the FAO Fiji and ADRA, the Adventist and Development Relief Agency, the FAO component is around $2.8m euros or $7m Fijian and the FAO will implement this project in close partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture. ”

The PS also noted that it has become evident that the Northern and Western Divisions are the worst affected areas when it comes to natural disasters.

While launching the climate resilience initiative, Kolitagane noted that dry spells across these divisions lasted between three to four months out of the year.

The European Union has supported the program across the region to a tune of $12.2 million.