20 Oct 2016

Fiji locks in more Russian help with disasters

5:54 am on 20 October 2016

Fiji's leaders hope to introduce better technology to prepare for disasters, with help from Russia.

Inia Seruiratu.

Inia Seruiratu. Photo: Alex Perrottet / RNZ

The Minister for National Disaster Management, Inia Seruiratu, has just returned from Russia, along with the Speaker of Parliament, Jiko Luveni and other MPs and staff.

The group of parliamentarians signed a memorandum of understanding for closer collaboration.

Mr Seruiratu said Russia can assist with better space-based technology and early warning systems for natural weather events.

"These are opportunities that are available to us through Russia and we hope that we can access some of their technology so that they can be used for Fiji and for the region," he said.

The group also met Russia's Ministry for Civil Defence. Earlier this year, 20 Russian soldiers handed over a large consignment of Russian weapons for the Fiji military.