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Disaster Management

Sunday, 27 June 2010 16:24 administrator
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SOPAC continues to strengthen the current levels of national disaster management capabilities of Pacific Island countries to become more resilient and better able to prepare for, respond to and manage the sudden onset of disasters.

Strengthening disaster management governance will include institutional, policy and decision-making processes such as disaster management legislative and planning frameworks and national focal points (NDMOs) and guidelines or models of good practice for national application.

The emergency management preparedness, response and coordination capabilities within countries will also be critically assessed to determine the level of resources and capacity that is available to protect vulnerable communities. A priority will be to ensure that effective emergency response, communication and coordination processes are established and that existing resources are utilised in the most effective way.

In terms of improved disaster response capacity the efforts of our international partners like UNOCHA, the IFRC and national Red Cross societies and The Asia Foundation working with DRP and others to support governments to develop or strengthen national arrangements, laws and policies for enhanced preparedness for national and international disaster response will continue.

The DRP Disaster Management Team provides the following services to PICTs:

  • Technical advice and support to review and update national DRM governance arrangements and legislation, operational plans and procedures
  • Support for the design and conduct of operational and table-top exercises to test emergency response plans and procedures
  • Support for the conduct of disaster risk management training in collaboration with the Pacific DRM Program of The Asia Foundation/Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance
  • Design and development of professional training courses in collaboration with TAF/OFDA and the Fiji National University

For more information, contact:

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Disaster Management Adviser – NDF Project

Last Updated on Wednesday, 16 February 2011 08:11  


Newsflash

From March 11-15th 2013, the Kingdom of Tonga is to host a regional workshop on “Law and Contract Negotiations for Deep Sea Minerals” in Nuku’alofa, on behalf of the SPC-EU Pacific Deep Sea Minerals Project.  

The Pacific Deep Sea Minerals Project is funded by the European Union and managed by SOPAC, the Applied Geoscience & Technology Division of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community. The project includes 15 Pacific Island Countries: the Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

Hannah Lily, Legal Adviser for the Pacific Deep Sea Minerals Project, says a main objective of the Tonga workshop is to provide government officials with the knowledge, skills and confidence to negotiate effectively with well-resourced deep sea mining companies.  Ms. Lily says the Project stresses the importance for countries to put in place robust law and regulatory mechanisms for the national management of deep sea minerals before any negotiations take place.

“We strongly recommend that countries have these mechanisms in place before any individual project negotiations commence. Dedicated seabed minerals legislation will assist the country to meet its obligations under international law, such as the protection of the marine environment. It will also provide clarity and stability to that country’s operating environment and what it expects from mineral companies.”

“Seabed mineral resources represent an exciting new economic opportunity for Pacific Island States. But, in order to make the most of this opportunity, governments will need to find responsible exploration and mining companies, and work to set terms that provide sufficient protection and financial return to the country,” she says.