[sopac-ism-edf-announce] EDF Updates

[Litea Biukoto]

REGIONAL
*	The Financing Agreement for the EDF9 extension of the Project to
include Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands,
Niue, Nauru and Palau was signed between the EU and the Forum Secretariat on
11 February.
*	Elizabeth Lomani was appointed the Project GIS&RS/ICT Intern on
23February.
*	Processing of applications for 4 new Adviser(s) posts under EDF9
began in February and short-listing for interviewing is underway.
*	Information Brochures Nos 4-6 have been published and posted on the
SOPAC Virtual Library <http://www.sopac.org.fj/Data/virlib/index.html
<http://www.sopac.org.fj/Data/virlib/index.html> >


FIJI
*	During January, Akuila Tawake undertook detailed fieldwork for
assessment of terrestrial Aggregates in south-western Viti Levu, Fiji. 
*	Ms Vilisi Tokalauvere was appointed as the Fiji Country Intern on 23
February. Vilisi is based at the Mineral Resources Department and will be
responsible for coordinating the implementation of the Fiji Work Plan.
*	The report on the 3rd Multi-Stakeholder Consultations has been
published and posted on the SOPAC Virtual Library
<http://www.sopac.org.fj/Data/virlib/index.html
<http://www.sopac.org.fj/Data/virlib/index.html> >
*	Michael Bonte presented at the Partners in Community Development
Fiji workshop held in Sanasana. The workshop was a component of the
Community Managed Disaster Risk Reduction Project being piloted in Sanasana.
*	A one-week workshop on GPS/GIS integration has been organised for
the National Disaster Management Office, 15 - 19 March 


KIRIBATI
*	Franck Martin setup the MapServer at the Ministry of Fisheries and
Marine Resources Development in Bairiki, 12 -25 January which he followed
with a training session on its maintenance
*	Wolf Forstreuter GIS&RS Specialist and Elizabeth Lomani Project
Intern are conducting a 3 week hands-on workshop, 23 February to 14 March,
using ERDAS IMAGINE for remote sensing. Participants will learn valuable
tips to extract information for imagery, including simple land cover
analysis and change detection.
*	Michael Bonte and Akuila Tawake were in Kiribati, 12-18 December to
review beach profiling survey and data processing. They also liaised with
KAP, Caritas and FSP Kiribati on initiatives on Community Disaster
Preparedness. Aggregate (re)sources were reviewed and discussions held on
aggregate issues with key-stakeholders.


NIUE
*	TC Heta battered Niue with hurricane-force winds and huge seas on 6
January as it passed over the Rock.  At its height, Heta had reached a
strength of category five - the highest cyclone rating. 


PAPUA NEW GUINEA
*	The report on the 2nd Multi-Stakeholder Consultations has been
published and posted on the SOPAC Virtual Library
<http://www.sopac.org.fj/Data/virlib/index.html
<http://www.sopac.org.fj/Data/virlib/index.html> >


SOLOMON ISLANDS
*	Franck is following up on a proposal to network all the government
departments using cheap wireless technology to enable access to the future
Solomon Islands MapServer site.


SAMOA
*	The MV Turagalevu has been undertaking offshore multibeam
swathmapping surveys around Upolu and Savaii throughout February. Quan
Chung, Project Technical Assistant has been onboard the whole time. 
*	Akuila is in-country holding discussions with Aggregate stakeholders
*	The report on the 2nd Multi-Stakeholder Consultations has been
published and posted on the SOPAC Virtual Library
<http://www.sopac.org.fj/Data/virlib/index.html
<http://www.sopac.org.fj/Data/virlib/index.html> >


TONGA
*	Whilst enroute to Samoa, the MV Turagalevu undertook an offshore
multibeam swathmapping survey around Niuafo'ou Island (Tin Can Island). This
followed on from a request at the 2nd Multi-Stakeholder Consultation.
*	The report on the 2nd Multi-Stakeholder Consultations has been
published and posted on the SOPAC Virtual Library
<http://www.sopac.org.fj/Data/virlib/index.html
<http://www.sopac.org.fj/Data/virlib/index.html> >
*	Akuila issued a report on Aggregate issues within Tongatapu , also
posted on the SOPAC Virtual Library
<http://www.sopac.org.fj/Data/virlib/index.html
<http://www.sopac.org.fj/Data/virlib/index.html> >


TUVALU
*	The report on the 2nd Multi-Stakeholder Consultations has been
published and posted on the SOPAC Virtual Library
<http://www.sopac.org.fj/Data/virlib/index.html
<http://www.sopac.org.fj/Data/virlib/index.html> >
*	In liaison with Tuvalu Association of NGOs, the Tafua Pond
Development Project was incorporated into the work plan. 

VANUATU 
*	The Honourable Minister of Lands along with Vanuatu's representative
to SOPAC Stephen Tahi, headed a delegation to Fiji to discuss with
Government departments and Fiji Pine Ltd the applications of GIS&RS in land
use and planning and potential benefits, 21- 31 January
*	TC Ivy battered Vanuatu's southern islands 27 February after its
hurricane force winds and torrential rain damaged homes and crops throughout
the country.


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Litea Biukoto
SOPAC South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission 
Postal Address: Private Mail Bag, GPO, Suva, Fiji Islands
Street Address: Mead Road, Nabua, Fiji Islands
Tel: +679 338-1377 Fax: +679 337-0040
E-mail: litea@sopac.org
Web site: http://www.sopac.org.fj

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