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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

 

One hundred days since tropical cyclone Pam swept through the Pacific, the Government of Vanuatu is reviewing its disaster response arrangements.

A Lessons Learnt Workshop, hosted by the National Disaster Management Office, will take place in Port Vila on 24 to 25 June to inform the development and implementation of improved procedures for disaster management in Vanuatu.

The workshop is funded by the European Union as part of the Building Safety and Resilience in the Pacific Project, an initiative implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC).

It will examine the coordination, early warning, information management, logistics and assessments that took place in the immediate aftermath of tropical cyclone Pam – all essential discussion topics following a disaster event of this magnitude.