'Disaster risk management is everyone's responsibility', says Pacific Island Applied Geoscience Commission's sustainable development adviser, Netatua Pelesikoti.
Dr Pelesikoti was attending the 14th Regional Disaster Manager's Meeting in Nadi, ending Tuesday.
"They may currently have a predominant focus on the management of disaster response, relief and rehabilitation but equally important is their coordination role in ensuring that strong partnership are built within and across sectors to support efforts for disaster risk reduction," she said.