The United States government is hosting a four day Disaster Management Exercise with local stakeholders involved in disaster relief and recovery work in Fiji which will begin next Tuesday.

Officials from the National Disaster Management office, Divisional and Provincial officers, municipal councils, the security forces, NGO's and other local and regional organizations.

A number of diplomatic missions and UN organizations based in Suva will be part of the training exercise as well.

Experts from the U.S Military Center for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance will conduct the exercise.

Experts from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Hawaii and the U.S Coast Guard will also be in the workshop to enhance officials' ability to prepare effectively for natural disasters and better coordination of relief efforts.

US Ambassador to Fiji, Steven McGann said the exercise will be based on real-life situations encountered during and after natural disasters in Fiji.

He added that the idea for intensive training was borne out after an assessment of Fiji's preparedness mechanisms in the aftermath of the devastation floods of January this year.