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Cyclone Pam: SPC on standby to assist Pacific Islands
Stark reminder of vulnerability of Pacific Islands as world meets in Japan to decide on new global framework for disaster risk reduction
NOUMEA, New Caledonia—With the extent of the impacts of tropical cyclone Pam on Pacific Island nations not yet known—and indeed still unfolding—the Secretariat of the Pacific Community is on standby to provide technical assistance to the affected countries.
SPC Director-General Dr. Colin Tukuitonga said SPC is ready to deploy teams to Vanuatu, Kiribati, Tuvalu, and the Solomon Islands, depending on the governments’ needs in the wake of the severe tropical cyclone.
Tukuitonga yesterday wrote to Vanuatu’s National Disaster Management Office to offer SPC assistance, given the greatest impact of the cyclone is expected to be felt in Vanuatu.
With the world’s governments currently meeting in Sendai, Japan, to approve a new global framework on disaster risk reduction, Tukuitonga said Cyclone Pam was a stark reminder of how highly vulnerable to natural disasters Pacific Islands’ populations and economies are.
“The Secretariat is keeping a very close eye on developments and the path Tropical Cyclone Pam is taking,” Tukuitonga said.
“As has been SPC’s longstanding practice, we are ready to deploy disaster response teams to reinforce government capacity in National Disaster Management Offices and provide a range of technical assistance based on the governments’ specific needs, and in concert with the United Nations and the Red Cross.
“If necessary we will recall our disaster management experts who are currently part of the Pacific delegation participating in the UN Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Japan.
“The Pacific Community is close-knit and our thoughts and prayers are with the governments and people of Kiribati, Tuvalu and Vanuatu,” Tukuitonga said.
In an SPC video message released for the world conference—www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYYRHPLdX3Y—the Director-General appealed for stronger action: “Whatever form a post-2015 framework takes, it’s important that the world community adopts a stronger approach to disaster risk reduction.” (SPC)
