SUVA, March 20 (Xinhua) -- The South Pacific island nation of Fiji should expect and be prepared for more frequent and intense disasters similar to tropical cyclone Winston that killed more than 40 people in 2016.

Fiji's Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Disaster Management and Meteorological Services Jone Usamate issued the warning while officiating at the Stakeholders Meeting on School Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience Building in the capital city of Suva on Wednesday.

The workshop was attended by senior government officials, education officials and Non-governmental organizations as the Fijian government works towards reducing disaster mortality.

"Our collective effort is important in ensuring the safety and well being of children during any disaster event," said the minister.

The purpose of the workshop is to review Fiji's Ministry of Education's Disaster Risk Reduction handbook.