UNDP, Japan hands over retrofitted national emergency operations center

A retrofitted national emergency operations center and a a= 3.5 ton truck were handed over on Friday to the National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) aimed at enhancing the country’s capacity to respond to disasters and emergencies.
NEMO Executive Director Wayne Towai the latest activity is among the 19 activities which is supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Office in Fiji, through the Japan funded Enhancing Disaster and Climate Resilience (EDCR) project.
According to the UNDP, the furnished conference and communications/operation rooms are part of the project that will also help NEMO members “to efficiently coordinate emergency responses.”
The 3.5-ton truck meanwhile will support emergency operations.
Vice President and Minister of State , who is also National Emergency Committee, J. Uduch Sengebau Senior thanked Palau’s “friends” who continue to support the nation is responding to disasters, from climate change to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I can’t emphasize enough the importance of this project , especially during this challenging time , especially after having gone through Typhoon Surigae. We all know that our ongoing fight with COVID-19 is a global concern… While we are doing everything to take care of our island from this pandemic, we have our friends , like people of Japan, to strengthen our response to disasters.”
She also lauded the UNDP with Japan for building Palau’s resilience to disasters.
Japan’s Ambassador to Palau Karasawa Akira said the retrofitted building and set of new furniture will help NEC members to maintain their productivity and efficiency.
“Take a good care of the retrofitted building and furniture, “ Ambassador Karasawa said.
The truck meanwhile , he said can be utilized by NEMO for speedy response to disaster incidents.
The multi-million UNDP EDCR project has provided equipment strategic to Palau’s disaster risk management and aims to strengthen gender sensitive disaster communication and climate monitoring systems; readiness capacity; and enhance community disaster resilience through improved water resource management and integrated gender and social inclusion awareness. ( B. Carreon)