Pacific Sub Regional Centre

Sharing Disaster Information to Save Lives

Regional organizations commit to innovative approach to disaster risk reduction and disaster management

Exchanging information on natural disasters will become more effective with the development of the Pacific Disaster Net.

This is after the Pacific Centre signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC), the United Nations Office of Coordination of the Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), and the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) in Spetember to develop a web based information hub designed to strengthen disaster risk reduction and disaster management in the Pacific region.

“UNDP is excited to be able to support the development of this information network as experience in other parts of the world has shown that improved information in communities has led to better decision-making and reduced vulnerability to disasters,’’ UNDP Resident Representative, Richard Dictus said.

“The Pacific Disaster Net will be a living collection of information made available through the internet and alternative media, targeting disaster risk management professionals working in the Pacific region including government agencies, regional bodies, non-government and international agencies. The new web hub will provide access to disaster risk management information which will facilitate planning and decision making in disaster risk reduction, preparedness, response and recovery,” SOPAC Director, Cristelle Pratt said.

Pacific Island countries rank among the most vulnerable in the world to natural disasters. Since 1950, natural disasters have directly affected more than 3.4 million people and led to more than 1,700 reported deaths in the region, excluding PNG. In the 1990s alone, reported natural disasters cost the Pacific Island region US $2.8 billion. With the climate trend for the Pacific pointing to more extreme conditions and increased climate variability, Island countries need to have the right tools available to be prepared and respond.

The web based information network will serve as a useful tool for disaster management professionals from both government and non-government sectors in the Pacific at the local, national and international levels and will enhance the overall coordination of response and preparedness activities within the region. By providing a living network of information, live links to early warning websites and an online communication facility, the Pacific Disaster Net will greatly facilitate the sharing of information between agencies involved in responding to disasters,” said the Humanitarian Affairs Officer of UNOCHA, Adriana Carvalho Friedheim.

Not only does the Pacific Disaster Net create a “one-stop shop” for information and tool on disaster management of 15 countries, it also provides a platform where practitioners and policy makers in disaster management from the Pacific can come together and exchange lessons learned, ideas, information and best practices. As a result, decision-making will be improved leading to better preparedness, response and mitigation and ultimately to more resilient and less vulnerable Pacific communities.

The information on the Pacific Disaster Net will be organized into several broad themes including governance, risk assessment; early warning and monitoring; risk reduction measures; disaster management; and training tools and will be made available in a range of formats including situation reports and research, data inventories, handbooks, checklists, maps, contact lists and web links.

While the project was jointly designed and resourced by the four regional partners SOPAC will be the implementing agency.

“SOPAC looks forward to taking the lead role on this project, as outlined in the MOU and to continue fulfilling our mandate for the coordination of regional disaster risk management by providing our member countries with quality and diverse information to form a sound decision making platform,” SOPAC Director, Cristelle Pratt said.

In addition to promoting the use of the website, all partners will encourage stakeholders to contribute relevant information as it becomes available in order to keep this living knowledge network of information alive and current.

The project also works towards objectives of the Pacific Disaster Risk Management Partnership Initiative, a group of 23 organizations committed to reducing the effects of disaster in the Pacific in a coordinated approach.