Convened on 13–14 October 2026 at the Tanoa Plaza Hotel in Suva by the Mineral Resources Department/National Tsunami Warning Centre, the National Disaster Risk Management Office, Fiji Meteorological Services and UNESCO-IOC, the workshop focused on strengthening the systems that connect scientific monitoring and assessment to warning decisions, emergency coordination and protective action by communities. 

On the first day, participants undertook a detailed technical review of the draft Geohazard SOP, examining its legal and institutional foundations, agency responsibilities, monitoring arrangements, earthquake and tsunami procedures, warning dissemination, decision-making and operational accountability. 

Participants supported the SOP’s overall operational structure and multi-hazard scope, while identifying areas requiring further refinement before final approval. Priorities included formal verification of legal and institutional mandates, clarification of warning and preparedness-action authorities and escalation matrix, stronger operational logging and shift-handover arrangements, and clearer procedures for earthquake and tsunami monitoring and warning. 

The discussions also highlighted the importance of robust monitoring networks and redundant communication systems, particularly given Fiji’s archipelagic geography and the challenges of reaching outer islands and communities where communications may be disrupted or delayed. 

For tsunami preparedness, particular emphasis was placed on ensuring communities understand natural warning signs. Participants reinforced that people experiencing strong or prolonged earthquake shaking, an unusual rise or fall of the sea, or abnormal ocean sounds should move to higher ground or inland without waiting for an official warning. 

The second day shifted the focus towards the draft Training and Public Awareness Toolkit and how scientific and operational procedures can be translated into practical preparedness actions. Participants reviewed proposed materials for technical agencies, emergency managers, communities, schools, tourism operators, businesses, media organizations and other sectors. 

The workshop supported a people-centred and multi-hazard approach built around accessible information, locally relevant preparedness measures, consistent and authorized messages, redundant communications, and continuous learning. Participants also recommended adding “informed planning” as a guiding principle, strengthening the connection between hazard and risk information and preparedness, community planning and relevant land-use considerations. 

A major focus was ensuring that technical information can be understood and acted upon by different audiences. Recommendations included simplifying technical terminology, clearly explaining alert levels, distinguishing natural warning signs from official alerts, developing adaptable warning and public-information templates, and identifying authorized sources of information for each geohazard. 

Participants also called for training products to take account of different language and literacy levels and the needs of women, children, older persons, persons with disabilities, tourists, temporary visitors, remote communities and outer islands. 

The toolkit review reinforced the importance of connecting national warning capabilities with preparedness at community and sector level. Proposed training modules cover understanding Fiji’s geophysical hazards, end-to-end early warning and institutional responsibilities, warning messages and last-mile communication, community preparedness, operational readiness and exercises, and sector-specific preparedness. 

At community level, participants recommended strengthening arrangements for disaster risk management committees, recognizing natural warning signs and official alerts, identifying safe areas and evacuation routes, undertaking evacuation mapping, preparing hazard-specific response plans, and planning assistance for people requiring additional support. 

The workshop also recognized that preparedness cannot follow a single model across all sectors. Schools, tourism operators, businesses and community organizations have different exposure, users and continuity requirements, making tailored preparedness plans and training materials important. 

The workshop identified exercises and drills as an important next step for testing whether procedures can function effectively under realistic operational conditions. The Day 2 discussions referred to forthcoming opportunities to test selected elements of the SOP and its communication arrangements and recommended that lessons identified through future exercises be documented and used to further refine the SOP and toolkit. 

The validation process represents a practical effort to strengthen the connection between science, warning systems, institutions and communities, with the ultimate objective of ensuring that reliable technical information leads to clear, timely and inclusive protective action.

The workshop recommendations will inform further revision of the SOP and Training and Public Awareness Toolkit, including clarification of agency responsibilities, strengthening of public communication and accessibility, and continued testing of procedures through exercises and drills. This draft SOP will be tested at the upcoming Fiji National Disaster Awareness Week Simulation Exercise on 22nd October 2022 and the PICT Regional Exercise Pacific Wave 2026 (PacWAVE26) on 5 November 2026 World Tsunami Awareness Day.