July 2 Pacific News Brief

Fiji will be the first country to receive the aid as a pilot project.
photo: Fiji Government

Pacific/Japan – Data

The Japanese government will provide weather data to South Pacific islands to help them cope with disasters.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will announce at a Pacific leaders’ summit in Tokyo this month that they will provide data held by the Japan Meteorological Agency, according to Japan’s public broadcaster.

This information will be used for evacuation and other measures in the event of disasters such as hurricanes and tsunamis.

It will be provided in real time using the “Michibiki” satellite, Japan’s version of the Global Positioning System.

Fiji will be the first country to receive the aid as a pilot project.

Pacific – Funding

The Asian Development Bank has approved $41 million in financing to help the Cook Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Tuvalu and Vanuatu respond to disasters caused by natural hazards and health emergencies.

The funding comes from Part V of the Pacific Disaster Recovery Program.

Leah Gutierrez, ADB’s Director General for the Pacific, said the program will provide participating countries with fast-disbursing, flexible budget support to speed up recovery in the event of a disaster.

Vanuatu – Education

The chairperson of a Vanuatu school’s board of directors has called for speedy reconstruction of classrooms destroyed by Tropical Cyclone Harold in 2020.

Kalmet Kasso told Vanuatu Daily Post He was very concerned for the students who continued to study in the damaged facilities at Luganville Secondary School.

Castle questioned the delay because the middle school had not been renovated in four years.

The Ministry of Education said that the procurement of a company to undertake the reconstruction project is now in the final stages.

The project is valued at over VUV200 million.

Palau – Agriculture

The Palau government has launched the Local Production Incentive Program to boost the agricultural sector.

Farmers will be eligible for subsidies of up to one-third of the cost of raising piglets on private farms.

It will also cover livestock feed, discounts on slaughter hogs, farm materials such as seedlings, and more.

Agriculture Minister Steven Victor told Island Times Thirty-nine farmers have registered to receive the subsidy.

The program is funded by taxes on tobacco and alcohol.

Fiji – Illegal Fishing

The Fijian Navy has seized several vessels suspected of illegal fishing activities.

Fijian Village The fishermen were reportedly suspected of using dynamite, an illegal fishing method.

The use of dynamite for fishing is extremely destructive and poses a serious threat to marine ecosystems.

The large-scale operation was carried out by the Fijian Navy in collaboration with local authorities and organisations.