Fiji volunteers to host new Pacific Response Group for disaster relief

At a gathering of defence ministers from the South Pacific, Fiji's defence minister Pio Tikoduadua pledged that the nation will host the Pacific Response Group (PRG) at the Black Rock Camp facility in Nadi. He said the proposal reflects Fiji's historic contributions to peacekeeping, humanitarian aid and disaster response across the region. The PRG, established through the same ministers' meeting, is intended to coordinate military resources for future crises such as natural disasters and climate-related emergencies.

Tikoduadua argued that shared challenges require joint action and that the Black Rock Camp is well suited for multilateral training and exercises. Hosting the PRG would enhance interoperability among Pacific forces and deepen Fiji's ties with its neighbours. He expressed that the move would turn Fiji's commitment to the Pacific family into concrete support.