Strengthening disaster management policy in Pacific Island countries: Policy reform for disaster preparedness

Given the common challenges that Pacific Island Countries (PICs) face in the increasing variability of impacts from climate-related hazards, governments in the region are looking to strengthen and harmonize policies, strategies, and regulations for effective disaster risk management (DRM) and climate change adaptation (CCA).

Challenges remain in strengthening national policy and regulatory frameworks and in effectively coordinating these efforts. The Africa Caribbean Pacific – European Union Natural Disaster Risk Reduction (ACP-EU NDRR) Program has been solicited by the governments of Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu and Tuvalu to help strengthen and coordinate these national frameworks.

This brief shows how PICs upgraded their policies, strategies, and regulations to tackle future threat scenarios by considering the projected effects of climate change into disaster resilience planning. Relevant Ministries and Disaster Agencies in Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu and Tuvalu collaborated to develop or strengthen their respective DRM and CCA policies and regulatory frameworks, in order to enhance preparedness and response to climate and disaster shocks.

The lessons learned from this initiative are the following:

• Revised DRM and CCA policies have a direct impact on promoting resilient infrastructure;
• New policies are the result of an inclusive, whole-of-society approach.