BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
GIZO Market Vendors have established a disaster response plan with the help of officers from the National Disaster Management Office.
The drafting of the disaster response plan was made possible through support from Market for Change program which is funded by the Australian Government.
In an interview with Island Sun Gizo, President of Gizo Market Vendors, Joyce Zoti acknowledged Market for Change program so as officials from NDMO for the knowledge shared which led to the drafting of the Gizo Market Disaster Response Plan.
She said the Gizo Market Disaster Response Plan is a vital tool when it comes to serving lives during natural disasters.
“Our market is vulnerable to natural disasters but most of the vendors are not aware of the risks. Looking back I can confidently say that we are sitting on a disaster zone every day at the market.
“Given the location of Gizo market, we are vulnerable to tsunami, strong wind and tidal waves,” Zoti said.
She said the four days training carried out by the Market for Change on Disaster Resilience and Management helped vendors to realize the hazards and also knowing their surroundings.
Zoti said the training was a stepping stone for vendors to be resilient when it comes to natural disasters.
