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Coordination[edit]
Fiji's has a well established structure for disaster management. In January 2012, the National Disaster Management office (NDM) activated the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) who thereafter maintained oversight of events and coordinated the disaster response efforts. The NEOC were guided by an "operations order" which was endorsed by the National Disaster Council (NCD). The operations order focused on a number of critical elements including speed of response, effective communication and flexibility to account for the dynamic situation. On the NCD's advice on 25th January, the Fijian Cabinet declared a “State of Natural Disaster for partner of the Western Division” for 15 days (which was eventually extended for another 10 days on 8th Feb 2012). District Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) also played a key role in providing on the ground information and focused support in areas of most need/risk.

Evacuation Centers[edit]
To support those who were displaced evacuation centers were set up in priority regions. Community facilities were utilized, for example schools and churches. Over the period of the floods a total of 64 evacuation centers were set up supporting over 4500 evacuees. These centers became critical hubs for the provision of essential supplies, shelter and also for educational informational to manage potential risks.

The Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Appeal – launched January 26th.[edit]
On the 26th of January, shortly after the Fiji Cabinet's declaration of the State of Natural Disaster for part of the Western Division was declared, the then Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama launched an appeal for help. The Prime Minister's Flood Relief Appeal, administrated by the BSP Financial Group Limited facilitated donations from both domestic and international branches. The Prime Minister made a broad appeal encouraging multi sectoral support. By March 2012, the Fund stood at nearly F$2million. This was made even more impactful when the Cabinet approved a submission made by the PM to allow a 200% tax deduction for cash donations exceeding $1000 (running 27th January to 31 March 2012).

During the floods Fiji was supported by a range of stakeholders, for example other national governments, businesses within and outside of the country, religious groups and volunteer organizations. Notable support came from the Australian government who supported the region during and after the event to the value of almost F$1.8. Together organizations provided both financial support and essentials supplies.

The critical role of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Cross Societies (IFRC)[edit]
The IFRC were critical in disaster response efforts working with community stakeholders. Their action was multipronged covering risk assessments, damage assessment, ensuring essentials supplies (food and water) as well as hands on medical support for monitoring injuries. Given the propensity to natural disaster in the region the Red Cross already had prepositioned emergency supplies but had to work around practical challenges to access these and get them to the right place. Throughout the disaster period the IFRC received dynamic updates from the NDMO. Their role included:


 * Carrying out preliminary assessments to inform the status of the disaster
 * Visiting and supporting 18 evacuation centers and 2 “squatter” settlements
 * Carrying our disaster assessments -with a focus on critical supplies
 * Supporting 186 families
 * Providing health education and health care
 * Briefing community leaders with information on risks and preventative measures with a particular focus on water contamination utilizing information provided by the ministry of health.
 * Providing practical tips with simple messaging, for example around boiling water