Climate risk and vulnerabilities of Fiji

Fiji is highly exposed and vulnerable to climate change and multi-hazard risks due to its small-island geography, coastal settlement patterns, dependence on tourism, agriculture, fisheries, water resources, coral reefs, and critical coastal infrastructure. The country faces recurrent and severe risks from tropical cyclones, storm surge, coastal and riverine flooding, flash floods, landslides, drought, sea-level rise, coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion, ocean acidification, and ecosystem degradation. Climate change is expected to intensify these risks through heavier rainfall, increasing flood losses, sea-level rise, storm-surge impacts, coral bleaching, water insecurity, health risks, and growing pressure on vulnerable coastal and outer-island communities. Strengthening multi-hazard early warning systems, resilient infrastructure, coastal adaptation, ecosystem-based protection, climate-smart agriculture, water security, disaster risk financing, shock-responsive social protection, and locally led adaptation is essential to reduce losses and protect Fiji’s development gains.

Fiji is highly vulnerable to climate change and multi-hazard risks because of its small-island geography, dispersed island communities, high coastal exposure, tropical cyclone belt location, steep volcanic terrain, climate-sensitive economy, and concentration of people, infrastructure, tourism assets, agriculture, and public services near the coast. The country is particularly exposed to tropical cyclones, storm surge, coastal flooding, river flooding, flash floods, landslides, drought, coastal erosion, sea-level rise, saltwater intrusion, ocean warming, ocean acidification, coral reef degradation, and climate-sensitive health risks.

1. Multi-hazard exposure

Fiji’s disaster risk profile is dominated by hydrometeorological and coastal hazards. Fiji’s National Adaptation Plan identifies the country as susceptible to cyclones, floods, and droughts, while also warning that slower-onset changes such as sea-level rise and ocean acidification will have major impacts. The same document emphasizes that Fiji’s vulnerability is increased by the location of key assets and infrastructure along the coast and by high economic dependence on climate-sensitive sectors such as tourism and agriculture.

Fiji also has exposure to geophysical hazards. UNDRR notes that Fiji is located near the Pacific Ring of Fire, meaning that earthquakes, earthquake-induced tsunamis, and landslides are possible. However, the most common disasters have historically been high-impact hydrometeorological events, particularly cyclones, heavy rainfall, and flooding. (unisdr.org)

2. Cyclone, flood, and economic-loss vulnerability

Tropical cyclones and floods are among Fiji’s most damaging hazards. A World Bank/GFDRR climate vulnerability assessment estimated that average asset losses from tropical cyclones and floods exceed F$500 million per year, representing more than 5% of Fiji’s GDP. It also estimated that a 100-year fluvial flood could cause asset losses above F$2 billion, with transport infrastructure and buildings accounting for a large share of losses.

Cyclone Winston in 2016 demonstrated the severity of Fiji’s cyclone exposure. UNDRR reports that Winston was a Category 5 tropical cyclone with average wind speeds of 233 km/h, causing destroyed assets valued at about US$1.3 billion and total damage and losses estimated at about 20% of GDP. The agriculture sector suffered heavily, with production losses affecting crops, fisheries, and longer-term livelihoods. (unisdr.org)

3. Sea-level rise, coastal erosion, and island-community vulnerability

Sea-level rise is one of Fiji’s most serious long-term climate risks. Low-lying coastal settlements and outer islands are exposed to coastal inundation, storm surge, coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion, and eventual relocation pressure. The World Bank/GFDRR assessment warns that sea-level rise could become a major threat for Fiji, especially for small low-lying islands where tens of thousands of people live and where protection against sea-level rise and storm surge may be difficult and expensive.

Coastal risk is not only a physical hazard; it is also a livelihood and development risk. Many communities depend on coastal fisheries, tourism, mangroves, reefs, freshwater lenses, coastal roads, jetties, schools, health facilities, and village infrastructure. Damage to these systems can trigger cascading impacts on mobility, food security, income, education, health access, and cultural continuity.

4. Flood and landslide vulnerability

Flood risk in Fiji is driven by heavy rainfall, tropical cyclones, river overflow, poor drainage, settlement in flood-prone areas, and land-use change. Climate change is expected to increase flood losses if adaptation is not accelerated. The World Bank/GFDRR assessment found that, under climate scenarios with increased rainfall, fluvial flood losses could increase by almost 40% and pluvial flood losses by 45% by 2050, with flood asset losses alone potentially exceeding 5% of GDP.

Landslides are also a significant hazard because of Fiji’s steep terrain, weathered rock, heavy rainfall, tropical storms, cyclones, road cuts, farming on slopes, and settlement expansion into unstable areas. The same assessment notes that rainfall-triggered landslides are a major risk and can intensify with heavier precipitation.

5. Drought, water security, and saltwater intrusion

Although Fiji is often associated with cyclones and floods, drought is also a significant risk, particularly during El Niño periods. Drought can reduce agricultural production, cause livestock losses, reduce drinking-water availability, increase fire risk, and lower river flows. The World Bank/GFDRR assessment reports that Fiji’s 1998 drought caused estimated damages of F$275–300 million and that drought-related low river flows can be associated with saline water intrusion.

Water security is therefore exposed to both extremes: floods can contaminate water sources and damage infrastructure, while drought can reduce water availability, degrade water quality, and intensify saltwater intrusion in coastal and island aquifers.

6. Sector-specific vulnerabilities

WHO and UNFCCC’s Fiji health and climate profile highlights that Fiji’s climate-health risks include climate hazards, health vulnerabilities, health impacts, and the need for climate-resilient health systems. (World Health Organization)

7. Social vulnerability and displacement

Fiji’s vulnerability is unevenly distributed. The most vulnerable groups include coastal and outer-island communities, informal settlers, rural households, smallholder farmers, fishers, women-headed households, children, older persons, people with disabilities, and communities dependent on climate-sensitive livelihoods. Vulnerability is highest where exposure to cyclones, floods, coastal erosion, drought, or landslides overlaps with low income, weak housing, limited savings, limited insurance, insecure land tenure, and restricted access to evacuation, early warning, and recovery finance.

Disaster displacement is a major concern. IDMC reported that disasters triggered about 153,000 displacements in Fiji between 2008 and 2019, linked mainly to weather-related events such as storms and floods.

8. Priority resilience needs

Fiji’s resilience agenda should prioritize multi-hazard early warning systems, cyclone preparedness, flood forecasting, coastal inundation warning, drought monitoring, climate-resilient infrastructure, resilient housing, risk-informed land-use planning, coastal-zone management, mangrove and coral reef protection, climate-smart agriculture, water-security planning, social protection, disaster risk financing, and planned relocation where protection is no longer viable.

Fiji’s National Adaptation Plan contains 160 prioritized adaptation measures and emphasizes climate information services, mainstreaming climate risk into national and subnational planning, ecosystem protection, inclusive and locally driven adaptation, and integration of climate adaptation with disaster risk management.

National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), Fiji

https://www.ndmo.gov.fj ( Website is not accessible from outside in Fiji???? )

(NDMO, Please shoot this trouble. Why is it not accessible from the outside in Fiji? )

The NDMO was established to facilitate, coordinate and manage national disaster risk reduction and disaster management activities to enhance the provisions of a safer and more secure Fiji.

The NDMO is guided by the following six (6) principles to help prepare, plan and respond to national disaster situations: 1. Governance – Organisational, Institutional, Policy and Decision-making Framework 2. Knowledge, Information, Public Awareness and Education 3. Analysis & Evaluation of Hazards, Vulnerabilities and Elements at Risk 4. Planning for effective Preparedness, Response and Recovery 5. Effective, Integrated and People-Focused Early Warning Systems 6. Reduction of Underlying Risk Factors.

Fiji faces many natural hazards- cyclones, floods, droughts and the threat of earthquakes and tsunamis. This October, join us to get informed and be prepared on how to protect your family and community.

NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT COUNCIL (NDMC)

During emergency operations, it will have overall responsibility for the efficient conduct of emergency operations at National, Divisional and District levels through the respective Emergency Operation Centres (EOCs)

Fiji National Emergency Operation Centre

Government office

Suva, Fiji · +679 331 9250

Capacity Building :

The National Disaster Risk Management Office (Fiji NDRMO) conducted a Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Training for civil servants from across Government in Suva last week. The programme focused on Fiji’s National Disaster Risk Management Arrangements and the process of conducting an Initial Damage Assessment (IDA).

Training civil servants on DRM is vital because Government officials play a central role in coordinating response and recovery efforts during disasters. By strengthening their understanding of national arrangements, officials are better equipped to:

Respond quickly and effectively to emergencies;

Work together effectively across ministries and agencies;

Ensure that IDAs are accurate and timely, helping guide relief and recovery resources to where they are needed most; and

Support communities with coordinated, inclusive, and resilient solutions.

The Fiji NDRMO team sincerely acknowledges the Ministry of Civil Service for incorporating DRM training and awareness into their training calendar. This support will ensure that disaster preparedness becomes part of the continuous professional development of our civil servants.

Health Emergencies and Disaster in Fiji

According to the World Health Organisation, over the last 10 years, an average of 700 disasters has been reported every year. Annually, an estimated 268 million people are affected by disasters, of whom more than 100,000 are killed. In 2010, humanitarian emergencies requiring international assistance occurred in 32 countries. The epidemiological profile associated with disasters and conflicts is changing. Although most of the mortality associated with disasters and conflicts continues to be due to infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases are increasingly among the top five causes of morbidity and mortality in such settings. Global trends in urbanisation are providing a further impetus for the adaptation of intervention strategies.

Fiji is geographically situated in one of the most natural disaster prone areas in the world. Some hazards occur as a consequence of tropical depressions and cyclones or as part of tropical weather condition that normally affects the region. Hazards such as landslides, flash floods and  storm surges are most common.

Since 1980, there have been 36 recorded natural disasters in Fiji, with 221 fatalities and over 1 billion dollars worth of economic damage to Fiji’s economy.

WHO

National Health Emergencies and Disaster Management Plan (HEADMAP)

In 2002, The Ministry of Health had drafted its National Disaster Management Plan and aligned it to the Fiji National Disaster Management Plan. The first National Health Emergencies and Disaster Management Plan (or HEADMAP) was designed along with the Fiji National Pandemic Plan and the Draft Communicable Disease Guideline, Since then, the review of the 2007 – 2011 HEADMAP has seen the addition of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and specific guidelines for various types of hazards faced in Fiji.

The revised HEADMAP, released in January 2013 is supported by a number of other plans and documents related to disaster risk reduction and disaster management.

Objectives of HEADMAP

The primary objective of the Fiji National Health Emergencies and Disaster Management Plan (HEADMAP) is to serve as a guide for the health sector in the management of public health emergencies and disasters.

The specific objectives include:

• • Minimise the potential loss of lives and impact of disasters;
  • Ensure prompt and appropriate disaster responses to affected communities
  • Achieve rapid recovery and rehabilitation following any emergency/disaster.
  • Ensure provision of adequate resources to support implementation at various levels

Cluster Approach to Disaster Management

Coordination in emergencies is vital.  Appropriate coordination results in fewer gaps and less overlaps.  It allows for a more coherent and complementary approach, and encourages different partners in the response, preparedness and recovery phases of disasters to work together for better collective results.

Disaster Management Clusters have been adopted for Fiji to improve coordination.  The Clusters are groups of organisations working in the main sectors of humanitarian action.  Clusters provide a clear point of contact and are accountable for adequate and appropriate action.  They create partnerships between international humanitarian actors, national and local authorities, and civil society.

A global cluster system has been in place for some time, strongly supported by the United Nations and partner organizations.  Clusters have also been implemented at the Regional level, represented by the Pacific Humanitarian Team (PHT).

The Fiji National Clusters have been closely based on the global and regional clusters.  The adoption of similar clusters means that there is better understanding of the role of each cluster, providing ready access to terms of reference and standard operating procedures.  It also means that there is more potential for assistance for partnering, training and funding.

Eight National Clusters have been adopted.  These are illustrated in figure below.

They are:

• Health & Nutrition (Lead:  MOH, Co-Lead:  WHO),
• Shelter (Lead: MOLGUDH&E, Co-Lead: IFRC),
• Education (Lead: MOE, Co-Leads: UNICEF, STC),
• Food Security (Lead: DOA, Co-Lead: NK),
• Safety & Protection (Lead MOWSW&PA, Co-Lead: NK),
• WASH (Lead: MOH-EH, Co-Lead: UNICEF),
• Logistics (Lead: MOF – FPO, Co-lead: NDMO),
• Public Works & Utilities (Lead: MOWT&PU, Co-Lead: NK).

Fiji National Disaster Management Clusters

Comprehensive Emergency & Disaster Management

In order to incorporate the Risk Reduction and Risk Management components of Disasters Management, the Health & Disaster Emergency Management requires an integrated comprehensive approach through four phases of emergency & disaster management, namely:

(a) Mitigation and Wellness (Prevention)

This phase encompasses actions to avoid an incident, to intervene to stop an incident from occurring or to mitigate an incident’s effects. It involves actions to protect lives and property and to defend against attacks, and may include public health surveillance and testing processes, immunizations, isolation or quarantine.

(b) Preparedness

This phase includes the activities necessary to build and sustain performance across the other phases. It involves efforts at all levels: to identify risks or threats; to determine vulnerabilities; to identify resources available and to address those vulnerabilities; to identify requirements or shortfalls; and conduct training and exercises.

(c) Response

This phase incorporates the activities necessary to address the immediate and short-term effects of an incident. Response activities include assessing preliminary effects, activating and deploying emergency resources, executing an emergency management plan, allocating existing resources in support of the plan and obtaining additional resources to sustain response operations.

(d) Recovery

The final phase encompasses those actions necessary to bring a community back to normal. It entails the coordination and execution of business continuity plans and the reconstitution of government operations and services

The integrated comprehensive approach through four phases of emergency & disaster management is shown in the figure below:

These phases are interdependent and, in practice, an affected community will address all of the phases consecutively although the emphasis may shift between them. The health services sectors need to be involved in all phases.

Alert Levels

The following are the emergency activation levels that apply to the ministry. This is an internal emergency management structure and the levels are not directly related to those that may be assigned in other organizations or jurisdictions:

Disaster Preparedness Campaign

The Government of Fiji is committed to improve disaster preparedness throughout the nation – and to ensure that everyone, young, old, woman, man, able, disabled, sick or healthy know how to protect themselves and other before, during and after a disaster.

The Ministry of Health therefore has developed the Get Ready. Disasters Happen campaign. This has been done with financial support from AusAID and NZ Aid and technical support from UNICEF Pacific.

Disaster Events:

Flood

November 2025

Some useful Documents

Under construction…………

Policy Documents on the Pacific realm countries