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Project: ACP-EU Disaster Risk Reduction in Pacific Overseas Countries and Territories

Sunday, 27 June 2010 16:26 administrator
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Supporting Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in Pacific Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) (2008-2013)

Through this project, the Geoscience Division expanded its engagement with Pacific overseas countries and territories (OCTs) - New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna, and Pitcairn Islands - to further develop and implement disaster risk solutions adapted to their particular context. Funded by the European Union (European Development Fund 9, C Envelope) for €5.6 million over 4 years, this project contributed to reducing the vulnerability of OCTs to losses from natural and human-induced disasters, such as drought (Pitcairn), cyclone & storm surges (French Polynesia), tsunamis (Wallis and Futuna) and water-borne epidemics and pollution (New Caledonia) . Working closely with OCT governments and local/provincial authorities, this project benefited communities at risk through enhanced awareness of disaster risk, improved information for hazard assessment and response, and sustainable solutions to resource access and use.

The Contribution Agreement for the OCT facility was signed between the EU and SOPAC (now the Geoscience Division of SPC) in December 2008. The project was managed by Frederique Lehoux, a bilingual project manager with significant experience in disaster risk management, who provided direct oversight of implementation. Access to SPC's technical / scientific resources in water resources management, oceanography, disaster risk management and others was be provided to all OCTs.

This project is now complete.

Last Updated on Thursday, 05 February 2015 07:08  


Newsflash

Dr Wolf Forstreuter from Pacific-Community-SPC's Geoscience Division acknowledged the wonderful cooperation with the Fiji Police Force and said that Fiji was a forerunner of GIS usage in law enforcement in the Pacific region and they would be looked up to, to provide guidance for other regional law enforcement agencies who may also consider doing the same.

Fiji Police Force officials who were present were: ACP Biu Matavou, CII; SSP Semis Bokadi, Dir CID; SP Eparama Waqa, D/Dir CID; Actg SP Mahen Shyam, D/Dir Plans; ASP Ilaitia Caginavanua; ASP Uate Rogo, Manager IT; Actg ASP Eseta Lewabeci, OC Stats; IP Lagi, Plans Unit; Cpl Pauliasi, Plans Unit; WPC Kinisimere; WPC Seini; Mrs Rasila; Mrs Singh and Ms Ana Naisoro the Media Advisor.

Pacific-Community-SPC representatives present were: Dr Wolf Forstreuter the GIS/RS Team Leader; Mr Sachindra Singh, the Senior Geospatial Systems Architect for SPC's ICT for Development team; Lanieta Rokotuiwakaya a GIS/RS Specialist and Elenoa Diani also a GIS/RS Specialist.