Pacific disaster and emergency managers rally commitment towards resilience building

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Managers and stakeholders from the disaster and emergency management sectors in 15 Pacific Island countries convened in Nadi, Fiji, earlier this month to review progress, obstacles, and prospects in regional cooperation to enhance disaster preparedness and response.

The Pacific Regional Disaster and Emergency Managers Meeting (PRDEMM), convened by the Pacific Community (SPC), included participants from the directors of National Disaster Management Offices (NDMO), heads of fire and police, donor partners, regional organizations, and international development and humanitarian organizations, according to a SPC press release.

In recent months, the Pacific region experienced widespread devastation, including severe floods in Fiji, intense droughts in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, as well as flooding, landslides, and an earthquake disaster in Papua New Guinea. Additionally, Vanuatu is grappling with the aftermath of two tropical cyclones that struck within 48 hours of each other in 2023, highlighting ongoing recovery challenges.

The collective goal of the PRDEMM is to mobilize substantial resources to mitigate disaster impacts, enhance partnerships, share innovative strategies, and optimize resource utilization to safeguard communities against the escalating threats of climate change and disaster risks.

Highlighting the recent environmental challenges faced by the Pacific, the Fiji Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management and current Chair of the Pacific Disaster Risk Reduction Ministerial, Sakiasi Ditoka, underscored the undeniable urgency of the climate and disaster crises.

“The significance of your gathering this week cannot be overstated. It offers a vital platform to review the progress, challenges, and prospects arising from the commitments to resilience action articulated by Pacific Disaster Risk Reduction Ministers in 2022,” said. Ditoka.

“Resilience is fortified through the adoption of innovative strategies and close collaboration with country counterparts and regional partners to optimize resource utilization.”

 “Pacific governments are tasked with the formidable duty of mobilizing $1 billion annually to mitigate the losses and damages inflicted by disasters in our region.”

The PRDEMM stands as a testament to the region’s unified commitment to enhancing resilience, reflecting a shared vision and concerted efforts to protect and empower the Pacific islands in the face of global environmental challenges.