Over the past five years, Act for Peace, the international aid agency of the National Council of Churches in Australia, has worked with more than 500 vulnerable communities across the Pacific (Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga and the Solomon Islands). Communities are trained to assess risk from natural disasters, develop and implement an action plan to manage those risks, establish dedicated action teams, simulate foreseeable disasters with the whole community, and connect them into national early warning and response networks.

In Fiji Act for Peace partners with the Fiji Council of Churches to deliver the program, which is supported by the Australian Government’s aid program. The program works closely with the Fijian Government’s National Disaster Management Office.

Act for Peace staff who recently travelled to the Northern District in Fiji to conduct training have not been able to return to Suva due to the bad weather. The team is now assisting in the disaster response with the Fiji government.

Alistair Gee, Executive Director of Act for Peace, says, “As the effects of climate change are felt, vulnerable communities in the Pacific need to be prepared to ensure they stay safe and protected. Although this is a devastating situation, we are pleased that the most vulnerable communities have put their disaster plans in action to minimise damage. We now turn our attention to assisting our partners and these communities with their recovery.”

Available for interview: Alistair Gee, Executive Director, Act for Peace. Media enquiries: please contact Emma Halgren, 0458 303 515 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..