Activities/Initiatives

UNISDR co-convenes the Pacific Platform for Disaster Risk Management (Pacific Platform) jointly with the SOPAC Division of SPC. The Pacific Platform was established in 2008 to harmonize existing regional mechanisms for disaster risk management in the Pacific. The regional platform has been central to the development and/or implementation of regional policies and frameworks for action on disaster risk management in the Pacific providing an opportunity for the sharing of experiences and knowledge in relation to initiatives that are being implemented by Pacific island countries and territories to strengthen resilience to disasters.

UNISDR is an active member of the Pacific Disaster Risk Management Partnership Network, created to provide a collaborative and cooperative mechanism to support disaster risk management capacity building in the region and assist Pacific Island Countries and Territories to adapt and implement the Pacific Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Management Framework for Action 2005 – 2015. In order to enhance the effectiveness of the network, UNISDR supports the following activities in 2010-11: (1) funds the position of a Partnership Coordinator within SOPAC; (2) Co-convenes the regional Thematic Working Group on Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Adaptation in the Pacific; (3) Supports the redesign of the Pacific Disaster Net to strengthen its user friendliness.

In the Pacific, eight Governments reported progress in disaster risk reduction via the HFA Online Monitor during the 2009-2011 reporting cycle, the Pacific Island Countries with the support of UNISDR and the SOPAC Division of SPC. The National HFA Progress Reviews for Australia, the Cook Islands, Fiji, Marshall Islands, New Zealand, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu are available on the PreventionWeb.

UNISDR Sub-Regional Office for the Pacific supports Pacific island delegates and regional IGOs in their preparations for the Global Platform, including the development of a coordinated position paper; support with technical presentations; and post-conference follow-up.

At the 3rd Session of the Global Platfrom for DRR(GP11), the Pacific island region was represented by 16 delegates from 9 Pacific Island countries, including representatives from national disaster management offices, local governments, ministries responsible for central policy and planning, finance and economic management, environment and climate change, women’s affairs, education, and provincial development. In addition 8 regional partners formed part of the Pacific Delegation, and sizable national delegations from Australia and New Zealand, including New Zealand’s Minister of Civil Defense.

GP11 provided an opportunity for the Pacific islands to be heard and seen, and to leave their footprints when global policies and issues on DRR of vital importance for the development and future of small island states are discussed. Amongst other, the UNISDR Sub-Regional Office for the Pacific supported the delegation with the preparation of a joint paper with the “Key Messages from the Pacific to the GP11”.

2010-2011 World Disaster Reduction Campaign is known in the region as Making the Pacific Resilient – My Community is Getting Ready!
The Campaign encourages local governments to take action to reduce disaster risks through awareness raising, and the integration of disaster risk reduction in urban planning and investment decisions. Local Governments are invited to commit to the implementation of selected essentials for making local communities resilient.