Evaluating ecosystem-based adaptation for disaster risk reduction in Fiji

This report documents an assessment of disaster risk reduction for flooding in the Ba and Penang River catchments in Viti Levu, Fiji, to identify the most cost-effective management options for communities and households. The analysis accounted for the biophysical and socioeconomic impacts of flooding, the costs, benefits, and feasibility of management, and the potential impacts of climate change.

The report highlights that natural disasters such as hurricanes, cyclones, and tropical depressions cause average annual direct losses of US$284 million in the Pacific region – the highest in the world on a per-capita basis. It argues that extreme weather events such as heavy rainfall are closely linked to climate change, suggesting that Pacific Island nations face increasing risk of disasters such as flooding and landslides.