7 pacific humanitarian team regional...
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7th Pacific Humanitarian Team Regional Meeting
28-30 October 2014 Holiday Inn Suva, Fiji
Contact UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Regional Office for the Pacific Level 5, Kadavu House Victoria Parade, Suva, Fiji Email: [email protected] or [email protected] Phone: (679) 331 6760
Table of Contents
Acronyms ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Agenda at a glance .......................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Tuesday 28 October 2014............................................................................................................................................................. 5 Wednesday 29 October 2014 ....................................................................................................................................................... 6 Thursday 30 October 2014 ........................................................................................................................................................... 7
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 8 About the Pacific Humanitarian Team Regional Meeting.............................................................................................................. 8 Objectives and outcomes .............................................................................................................................................................. 8 Venue and timings ........................................................................................................................................................................ 8
Pacific Humanitarian Team ............................................................................................................................................................ 9 Vision ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 9 History ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Leadership and coordination ......................................................................................................................................................... 9 Working in partnership ................................................................................................................................................................ 10 Supporting government leadership ............................................................................................................................................. 10 Activating PHT support ............................................................................................................................................................... 11 Sharing information ..................................................................................................................................................................... 11
PHT Cluster Capacity .................................................................................................................................................................... 12
PHT Clusters and Pacific Island Government Ministries .......................................................................................................... 13 History of PHT Responses ........................................................................................................................................................... 14
PHT Responses in 2013-2014 ....................................................................................................................................................... 16
Progress on 2013 Meeting Outcomes ......................................................................................................................................... 18 PHT Cluster Update 2013-2014 .................................................................................................................................................... 20
Health and Nutrition (WHO & UNICEF) ...................................................................................................................................... 20 Emergency Logistics (WFP)........................................................................................................................................................ 22 Protection (OHCHR & UNHCR) .................................................................................................................................................. 23 Education in Emergencies (UNICEF & SC) ................................................................................................................................ 24 Food Security Cluster (FAO) ....................................................................................................................................................... 25 Shelter (IFRC) ............................................................................................................................................................................. 26 Water, Sanitation and Hygiene – WASH (UNICEF) .................................................................................................................... 27
Background Information ............................................................................................................................................................... 28 Global .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 28 Regional ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 28
Detailed Agenda ............................................................................................................................................................................ 30 Tuesday 28 October 2014........................................................................................................................................................... 30 Wednesday 29 October 2014 ..................................................................................................................................................... 32 Thursday 30 October 2014 ......................................................................................................................................................... 34
Speakers ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 37 Annex 1: Participant Information ................................................................................................................................................. 43
Accommodation .......................................................................................................................................................................... 43 Getting to and from the venue..................................................................................................................................................... 43 Food ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 44 Displays....................................................................................................................................................................................... 44 Internet access ............................................................................................................................................................................ 44 Weather....................................................................................................................................................................................... 44 Emergency Contacts ................................................................................................................................................................. 44 Medical Services ......................................................................................................................................................................... 44 Other ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 44 Map of Suva ................................................................................................................................................................................ 45
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Acronyms ADRA Adventist Development and Relief Agency
CERF Central Emergency Response Fund
CwC Communications with Communities
DFAT Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Australia)
ECG Emergency Cash Grant
ECHO European Commission Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection
EiE Education in Emergencies
ENSO El Niño-Southern Oscillation
EPREP Emergency preparedness and Response Plan
EWS Early Warning System
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization
FRANZ France, Australia and New Zealand agreement
GBV Gender-based Violence
HAP Humanitarian Action Plan
IASC Inter-Agency Standing Committee
ICCG Inter Cluster Coordination Group
IFRC International Federation for the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
IOM International Organization for Migration
JICA Japan International Cooperation Agency
MCDEM Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management (New Zealand)
MFAT Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (New Zealand)
MH Morris Hedstrom
MPP Minimum Preparedness Package
NDMO National Disaster Management Office
NEMO National Emergency Management Office
NGO Non-Governmental Organization
OCHA Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
OHCHR Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
PCC Pacific Conference of Churches
PDF Pacific Disability Forum
PHT Pacific Humanitarian Team
PICs Pacific Island Countries
RC Resident Coordinator (United Nations)
ROP Regional Office for the Pacific (OCHA)
SPC Secretariat of the Pacific Community
TC Tropical Cyclone
UNDAC United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination
UNDP United National Development Programme
UNFPA United Nations Population Fund
UNHCR United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund
UNISDR United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR)
USAID United States Agency for International Development
VHT Vanuatu Humanitarian Team
WFP World Food Programme
WHO World Health Organization
Agenda at a glance
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Agenda at a glance Tuesday 28 October 2014
Start Time
End time
Session Presenter/Facilitator
8:00 8:30 PHT Registration opens
8:30 8:40 Welcome
8:40 8:45 Opening address
8:45 8:55 Agenda overview
8:55 9:10 Introduction Sune Gudnitz (OCHA)
9:10 9:30 Session 1: Global and regional guidance on humanitarian action
Mark Shapiro (WFP) and Nastaran Jafari (Independent Consultant)
9:30 10:30 Session 2: Disaster scales and triggering regional support
Sune Gudnitz (OCHA) and John Titmus (NZ MCDEM)
10:30 11:00 Morning Break
11:00 11:45 Session 3: PHT 2013-2014 Year in Review Elizabeth Christy (FAO) and Vuli Gauna (IFRC)
11:45 12:30 Session 4a: Key priorities and preparedness – outcomes of the NDMO pre-meeting
Loti Yates (NDMO Solomon Islands) and Leveni Aho (NEMO Tonga)
12:30 13:30 Lunch
13:30 15:30 Session 4b: PHT cluster strengthening and partnerships
Sune Gudnitz (OCHA) and Nastaran Jafari (Independent Consultant)
15:30 16:00 Afternoon Break
16:00 16:30 Session 4b continued
16:30 17:15 Session 5: 2014-2015 Season Outlook Neville Koop (Na Draki Weather)
17:15 17:25 Wrap up and close
18:00 19:30 Welcome Reception - Hosted by OCHA
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Wednesday 29 October 2014
Start Time
End time
Session Presenter/Facilitator
8:30 8:45 Recap Day 1
8:45 9:30 Session 6: Climate change and the consequences of human mobility and displacement in the Pacific
Dr Julia Edwards (PCC)
9:30 10:30 Session 7: Protection, gender and disability in practice
Maha Muna (UNFPA), Philippa Ross (UN Women), Suzanne Paisley (SPC), Katabwena Tawaka (PDF) and Kate Gordon (UNHCR)
10:30 11:00 Morning Break
11:00 12:30 Session 8: Coordinated needs assessment and analysis
Kirstie Meheux (SPC), Litea Biukoto (SPC), Rashmi Rita (OCHA) and Michael Arunga (OCHA)
12:30 13:30 Lunch
13:30 15:30 Session 9: Cluster workplans PHT cluster coordinators
15:30 16:00 Afternoon Break
16:00 17:00 Session 10: Overcoming logistics challenges Anna Young (WFP), Vuli Gauna (IFRC) and Sean Torbit (MFAT)
17:00 17:15 Wrap up and close Parallel Evening Sessions (optional)
17:30 18:15 Session 11: Humanitarian action plans and financial resource mobilization
Michael Arunga (OCHA)
17:30 18:15 Session 12: Collaborative public information and communications with communities
Elisabeth McLeod (OCHA) and Yuan-Kwan Chan (ReliefWeb)
Agenda at a glance
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Thursday 30 October 2014
Start Time
End time
Session Presenter/Facilitator
8:30 8:45 Recap Day 2
8:45 9:00 Feedback from evening sessions
9:00 10:00 Session 13: Private sector support in emergencies
Anna Krikun (ADRA), Asitha Sunnadeniya (MH Supermarkets), Moortaza Jiwanji (UNDP) and Timothy Wilcox (UNISDR)
10:00 10:30 Morning Break
10:30 11:30 Session 14: NGO support and commitment Raijeli Nicole (Save the Children Fiji), Jennifer Worthington (Oxfam), Charlie Damon (Care International), Gerard Ganaba (World Vision) and Mark Mitchell (Caritas). Facilitated by Laisani Petersen (UNICEF)
11:30 12:30 Session 15: Donor panel discussion Suzanne Edgecombe (DFAT), Sean Torbit (MFAT), Jules Irrmann (Embassy of France), Shohei Matsuura (JICA), Jason Brenden (US Embassy) and Edward Turvill (ECHO). Facilitated by Aurelia Balpe (IFRC)
12:30 13:30 Lunch
13:30 15:00 Session 16: World Humanitarian Summit - Pacific consultations
Sune Gudnitz (OCHA)
15:00 15:30 Afternoon Break
15:30 16:30 Session 16 continued
16:30 17:00 Close and the future of PHT meetings Sune Gudnitz (OCHA) and Mosese Sikivou (SPC)
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Introduction About the Pacific Humanitarian Team Regional Meeting The 7th Pacific Humanitarian Team (PHT) Regional Meeting is being held from 28 to 30 October 20141 at the Holiday Inn Suva. The event is organized by the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in collaboration with national disaster management offices in the Pacific and the PHT inter-cluster coordination group. Since 2008, a PHT meeting has been held annually to bring together over 100 representatives from national authorities and humanitarian agencies from across the region to strengthen preparedness and response coordination. The meeting is not a stand-alone event where ideas are discussed, but not translated into action. Rather, the meeting is action-orientated and a seamless part of activities undertaken throughout the year. It brings together different sectors to work collaboratively on understanding and addressing humanitarian concerns, including sustainable development, disaster risk reduction and climate change. Workshop participation is targeted and inclusive to ensure there are appropriate and diverse backgrounds of representation and expertise. Participation includes representatives from national disaster management authorities, national ministries, UN agencies, Red Cross, Non-Governmental Organizations, donors, civil-society groups, regional and international organizations, and academics. For the meeting to remain practical and output-oriented, it will be limited to around 100 participants who are committed to participating in, and sustaining post-meeting outcomes. Further information about the meeting is available on the event website at http://pacifichumanitarian.info. Objectives and outcomes To aim of the PHT Regional Meeting is to strengthen dialogue and partnership between NDMOs and the PHT by:
• Progressing the priority areas of the PHT Position Statement • Strengthening the Humanitarian Programme Cycle for the Pacific • Updating the Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan • Providing inputs to the 2015 World Humanitarian Summit regional consultations in the Pacific • Developing 2014-15 PHT cluster work plans with partners to use as a guide for cluster activities in support of NDMOs • Ensuring inclusive practices within humanitarian activities
Venue and timings The PHT Regional Meeting will be held in Lali Room 1, Holiday Inn Suva, Victoria Parade, Suva, Fiji. The meeting will begin at 8.00 am on the first day to allow time for registration before the programme starts at 8.30am. All other days will begin at 8.30am. A detailed agenda is available on page 30.
1 A pre-conference meeting will be held on Monday 27 October for invited National Disaster Management Office representatives.
Pacific Humanitarian Team
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Pacific Humanitarian Team The Pacific Humanitarian Team (PHT) is a network of partners with the capability and capacity to assist Pacific Island countries and territories in preparing for and responding to disasters in the region. The PHT supports governments in delivering effective, appropriate, timely and coordinated disaster preparedness, response and recovery. The partnership works together to meet the needs and protect the rights and dignity of all affected communities. Vision All girls, boys, women and men affected by disasters in the Pacific receive the protection and assistance they require, which is transparent and timely, regardless of whom, or where they are or how they are affected. History The PHT was established at the Regional Inter-Agency Contingency Planning Workshop for Humanitarian Assistance in the Pacific in July 2008. At the workshop, humanitarian partners in the region agreed to improve country and regional level disaster preparedness and response by establishing more predictable and accountable coordination arrangements using the principles of the global cluster approach. The Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) formally endorsed the PHT coordination arrangement in February 2012. Humanitarian partners now work through the PHT coordination arrangement to better support national authorities in preparing for, responding to and recovering from disasters in the region. With the IASCs endorsement of the PHT regional cluster approach in the Pacific, there is a common understanding that:
• The PHT regional clusters are the agreed mechanism to facilitate on-going preparedness and contingency planning • The PHT regional clusters are the agreed coordination mechanism for effective and efficient international emergency
response in support of national authorities for which PHT partners have the required capacity • Where emergencies exceed the regional capacities of the PHT, a request for global cluster support can readily be
made. Leadership and coordination UN Resident Coordinators, based in Fiji and Samoa, act as co-Chairs of the PHT and have overall leadership, accountability and responsibility for preparedness and response efforts. In support of and in coordination with national and local authorities, UN Resident Coordinators are responsible for UN agencies within the PHT and for ensuring effective coordination with non-UN organizations. The UN Resident Coordinator may also perform the role of Humanitarian Coordinator, particularly during large-scale humanitarian disasters in the region. In addition to its general participation, UNOCHA acts as the PHT Secretariat and the disaster authority contact point for all PHT-related matters, including general coordination and information management support. The PHT Position Statement for 2014 to 2020 defines the PHT’s vision, mission, values and goals. The Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan is a living document and used by PHT cluster members to guide inter-agency humanitarian action in the Pacific.
Commitment • Respect national government leadership • Uphold humanitarian principles and human rights • Respect local communities and promote their
participation in and ownership of, preparedness and response actions
• Address the needs and rights of all disaster affected people, including persons with disabilities, people living with HIV/AIDS and the elderly, and promote gender equality and human rights
• Be accountable and apply quality standards to our work
• Continuously learn to improve the effectiveness of humanitarian action in the region
• Respect PHT partners’ mandates, obligations and independence.
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Working in partnership PHT partners organize themselves according to seven sector-specific regional Clusters and an Early Recovery Network. Cluster member organizations commit to participate through clusters and to work cooperatively with other cluster partners to ensure optimal and strategic use of available resources. While the cluster approach encourages strong partnerships and joint planning among humanitarian actors, it is up to individual organizations and agencies to determine levels of participation in the work of the clusters. The core responsibilities of clusters include the following:
• Inclusive approach • Coordination mechanisms • Participatory • Cross-cutting issues • Assessment • Strategy development • Standards • Information Management • Advocacy and resource mobilization • Preparedness and capacity building
Each cluster has a Cluster Lead Agency with an appointed Cluster Coordinator responsible for coordinating regional preparedness and response activities in that particular sector. The regional clusters include all PHT member organizations and agencies that participate in clusters and collaborate with other cluster partners. An Early Recovery Coordinator is responsible for supporting the Government transition from response to broader recovery and development, and supporting PHT clusters to integrate early recovery from the outset of a disaster response. Clusters operate on an open-ended basis and are mobilised in consultation with regional partners in an emergency. Support can be customized to the type of disaster, based on its size and scale. Under this approach, if an emergency exceeds the capacity of regional PHT clusters, global cluster support can be requested. Cluster Area Lead Agency
Health and Nutrition World Health Organization (WHO) / United National Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
Food Security Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Education in Emergencies United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) / Save the Children
Protection Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) / United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
Emergency Shelter International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
Logistics World Food Programme (WFP)
Early Recovery Network United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Supporting government leadership Humanitarian action is coordinated in support of nationally led disaster management, using a cluster approach and mindful of other mechanisms. The PHT acts as a regional coordination body for national authorities who require external assistance. The mechanism supports timely and appropriate levels of assistance, such as technical expertise and relief items, for preparedness, response and recovery. Clusters align with and support Government line ministries through each phase of the disaster management cycle to ensure a whole of Government approach. PHT links with national authorities in each country are defined by a range of factors, including country context, existing national coordination arrangements and a government’s request for assistance.
Pacific Humanitarian Team
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Activating PHT support In the event of a disaster requiring external assistance, the government of the affected country can request assistance from UN Resident Coordinators in either Fiji or Samoa through UNOCHA. National disaster management authorities may contact UNOCHA at any time. UNOCHA also supports the UN Resident Coordinator by ensuring coordination between national, regional and international partners during disasters and in preparedness for disaster response. During a disaster event, the nature of support provided by PHT partners is dependent on the scope and scale of the disaster and the nature of a Government’s request for assistance. Sharing information The PHT provides a regional platform for humanitarian partners to share information, consolidate best practices, map capacities and gaps and strengthen the collective capacity of humanitarian action in the region. The online platform can be accessed at https://pht.humanitarianresponse.info.
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PHT Cluster Capacity
Health WASH Food Security Shelter Education Logistics Protection Early
Recovery Lead Agency WHO/UNICEF UNICEF FAO IFRC UNICEF WFP OHCHR/
UNHCR UNDP
Cluster coordinator Part time Part time Part time
Dedicated Funding
UNFPA emergency
fund Agency funding
UNHCR/OHCHR do not have operational
funding UNFPA
emergency fund
No. of active partners 45 15–20
Additional staff in region
12 1 Consultant 0 Surge
Capacity on Request
17
Standby partner options
UNFPA surge roster
GENCAP
RedR/ MSB
4 RedR deployments
assured
Aust. Red
Cross
RedR Australia, ProCAP, UNFPA
surge roster, GENCAP
BCPR
Updated contact list Yes Yes Yes
Assessment tool Yes (MISP) Yes
Yes (multiple and under
development) Yes Yes
Logistics Rapid
Assessment Tools
Yes
Contingency stocks Yes Yes
N/A unless food aid is considered
Yes No Yes (UNFPA dignity kits) No
Secondary data Available Available
Available via FAO (Ag., fisheries, forestry)
Available Logistics Capacity
Assessments Yes
PHT Clusters and Pacific Island Government Ministries
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PHT Clusters and Pacific Island Government Ministries
Fiji PNG Solomon
Islands Vanuatu FSM Kiribati Marshall Islands Nauru Palau Cook
Islands Niue Samoa Tokelau Tonga Tuvalu
Health/ Nutrition Govt MoH MoH MoH MoH MoH MoH MoH MoH MoH MoH MoH MoH MoH MoH MoH
Supp. org.
WASH Govt MoH NA MHMS DGMWR NA MPWU MWSC NA NA NA NA NA NA MoH NA
Supp. org.
SPC
SPC SPC
SPC
SPC
Food Security Govt MoAg Min RD &
MAL Dept of Ag
and RD
Min. of Envt,
Lands & Ag. Dev
Min. of Res.& Devt
Dept of Comm.,
Ind.& Resources
Min. of Res & Devt -
Bureau of Ag.
MoAg Dept. of
Agr., Forestry & Fisheries
MAFF Min. for
Econ Devt and NaRe
MAFFF Min. of NaRe & Lands
MAFFF
Supp. org. UNDP FAO
FAO
FAO FAO
FAO
Shelter Govt
NEMO
Supp. org. Habitat
Education Govt MoE MoE MEHRD MoE MoE MoE MoE MoE MoE MoE MoE MoE MoE MET MEYS
Supp. org. Save
Save Save
TANGO/
Red Cross
Protection Govt MWSW
MIA
Supp. org.
Logistics Govt MoF /
NDMO TBC /MET
Supp. org. Act for
Peace
Early Recovery Govt MoF
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History of PHT Responses Event Month Country
2008
High sea swells December FSM, RMI and Solomon Islands
2009
Floods January Fiji
Guadalcanal floods February Solomon Islands
Ambrym volcano and flood April Vanuatu
Earthquake and tsunami September Samoa and Tonga
Gaua volcano December Vanuatu
Tropical Cyclone Mick December Fiji
2010
Tropical Cyclone Pat February Cook Islands
Tropical Cyclone Rene February Tonga
Tropical Cyclone Tomas March Fiji
Tropical Cyclone Ului March Solomon Islands
2011
Tropical Cyclone Vania January Vanuatu
Tropical Cyclone Wilma February Tonga
Tropical Cyclone Atu February Vanuatu
Drought September Tuvalu
2012
Floods January and March Fiji
Tropical Cyclone Jasmine February Vanuatu
Flash floods and landslides June Solomon Islands
Typhoon Bopha December Palau
Tropical Cyclone Evan December Samoa and Fiji
2013
Earthquake and tsunami February Solomon Islands
Drought April Marshall Islands
Super Typhoon Haiyan November Palau
2014
Tropical Cyclone Ian January Tonga
History of PHT Responses
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Event Month Country
King Tides March Marshall Islands
Tropical Cyclone Lusi March Vanuatu
Flash floods April Solomon Islands
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PHT Responses in 2013-2014 OCHA and the Pacific Humanitarian Team responded to five emergencies during the 2013-2014 cyclone season between November and April. There were three cyclones and two flood events: Super Typhoon Haiyan in Palau (November 2013), Tropical Cyclone Ian in Tonga (January 2014), King Tides in the Marshall Islands, Tropical Cyclone Lusi in Vanuatu (March 2014), and the worst event of the season, Flash Floods in the Solomon Islands (April 2014). Across the region, a total of 33 fatalities were recorded. Most deaths occurred in the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, with 22 and 10 deaths respectively. Despite Palau and Tonga being struck by Category 5 cyclones with winds over 250 kilometres per hour, both countries had relatively low death tolls, with only one reported fatality in Tonga.
Over 80,000 people were affected by the five disasters. Of the total number affected, 52,000 were in the Solomon Islands, followed by 20,000 in Vanuatu and 5,000 in Tonga.
A total of 851 houses were destroyed and 2,186 damaged. When the number of damaged and destroyed homes are combined for each country, the Solomon Islands has the highest figure with 1,149, followed by Tonga with 932. A total of 14,324 people were displaced in all emergencies. In the immediate days after the disaster, the Solomon Islands had the most displaced people, with 10,000 seeking emergency shelter and 2,335 in Tonga. Humanitarian funding requirements during the five emergencies totalled over US$37 million, with the largest request from Tonga ($15.1 million) following Cyclone Ian.
To support Government leadership, there were a total of 57 deployments during the season, with 39 Pacific Humanitarian Team members deployed to the Solomon Islands and 15 to Tonga. In addition, one OCHA staff member was deployed to each of the emergencies in Palau, Marshall Islands and Vanuatu to provide coordination and information management support following direct requests from Government.
PHT Responses in 2013-2014
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Palau: Super Typhoon Haiyan (November 2013) On 7 November 2013, Super Typhoon Haiyan passed directly over the island of Kayangel, the northernmost state of Palau. No lives were lost despite the Category 5 system bringing sustained winds over 250 kilometres per hour and high swells. Over 900 people sought shelter in evacuation centres and, on December 8, the President declared a State of Emergency for a period of 10 days. Based on initial assessment data, 39 homes were totally destroyed, while 415 homes sustained damage across 13 states. Total humanitarian funding for the Immediate and Near Term Response Plan was US$5.2 million. OCHA ROP deployed staff to support the coordination, initial assessment, and response planning.
Tonga: Tropical Cyclone Ian (January 2014) Tropical Cyclone Ian tracked between Fiji and Tonga for several days before intensifying to a Category 5 system with winds over 200 kilometres per hour. In the early hours of 11 January, the cyclone swept east of the Vava’u group before passing directly over Ha'apai in the afternoon. A state of emergency was declared for Vava’u and Ha’apai the same day. There was one fatality, 14 injuries and extensive damage to houses, infrastructure and agriculture. A total of 534 houses were destroyed and 398 were damaged. Around 2,335 people sought shelter in 51 formal and informal shelters. On 21 January, the Government accepted international assistance from the Pacific Humanitarian Team (PHT) who supported national clusters for the first time. OCHA ROP supported response planning and information management, while the PHT deployed expertise in WASH, Health, Protection, Livelihoods, Food Security and Shelter. The three-month response plan totalled US$15.1 million.
Marshall Islands: King Tides (March 2014) On 3 March 2014, king tides inundated Majuro Atoll and some of the outer islands of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, including Arno Atoll, Mili Atoll and Kili Island. The inundation affected housing infrastructure and contaminated water supplies, agriculture and food crops. A State of Emergency was issued by Cabinet on 5 March. Three local administrations formally requested assistance from the National Government. OCHA, IFRC and WHO provided technical expertise and assistance, with the US and Australia providing financial support.
Vanuatu: Tropical Cyclone Lusi (March 2014) Between 10 to 13 March, Tropical Cyclone Lusi passed over Vanuatu as a Category 2 system. There were 10 confirmed deaths, four injuries, 149 people displaced and 117 houses damaged. Food security risks for a total of 4,687 households were identified in the provinces of Penama, Malampa, Torba, Sanma and Shefa. With the support of the Vanuatu Humanitarian Team, assessments were undertaken and a Humanitarian Action Plan was developed, with a total funding requirement of US$588,000.
Solomon Islands: Flash Floods (April 2014) Three days of heavy rain from Tropical Cyclone Ita caused severe flooding in the Solomon Islands in early April. There were 22 confirmed deaths and two people missing. Over 50,000 people were affected, mainly in the capital, Honiara, and other areas of Guadalcanal Province. At the peak of the crisis, approximately 10,000 people were displaced in nearly 30 evacuation centres. On 3 April, the Government declared affected areas a disaster zone and, on 5 April, requested the support of the Pacific Humanitarian Team, with over 40 personnel deployed. The UN Central Emergency Response Fund released US$1.8 million to support life-saving health and WASH activities. The Humanitarian Action Plan funding requirement for immediate response needs was $13.6M.
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Progress on 2013 Meeting Outcomes The following strategic outcomes and next steps were identified at the 6th PHT Regional Workshop in October 2013. The PHT actions and status against each outcome are listed below.
No. Strategic outcomes PHT ICCG response (as of Oct 2014) Status
1 Messages from NDMO consultations included: a. To strengthen dialogue between PHT and NDMO b. To formalise working arrangements between countries and PHT c. To adapt PHT cluster arrangement to meet the needs of individual countries d. PHT partners to examine ways to strengthen linkages with NGOs at the country level
a. Dialogue has not been strengthened systematically across the board although with some NDMOs, including Tonga, Solomon Islands it has. b. PHT partners have working relationships with national line ministries, although in many instances not formalized. c. Cluster arrangements initiated in Tonga following TC Ian in Jan 2014. Agreement in Solomon Islands after April flash floods that clusters need to be reorganized. RMI consolidating the cluster approach for King Tides. d. See Cluster updates.
Limited Incomplete Progress Limited progress
2 The Position Statement consultations are now complete. Three priority areas have been developed. The draft PHT Position Statement will be reviewed by NDMOs and the PHT Strategic Advisory Group prior to release to all PHT stakeholders in December 2013. Furthermore there was agreement that the document will be revisited at the next annual PHT Workshop.
Final PHT Position Statement was released in December 2013: http://reliefweb.int/report/world/pacific-humanitarian-team-position-statement-2014-2020 PHT Position Statement priority areas are being integrated as part of 2014 PHT meeting.
Complete
3 PHT partners to continue to engage and support development of the Strategy for Disaster and Climate Resilient Development in the Pacific (SRDP) at regional and national levels.
Engaged through both online and direct consultations, including at the 2014 Disaster Managers Meeting.
Complete
No. Next steps – SHORT term PHT ICCG response (as at Oct 2014) Status
4 PHT Cluster Lead agencies and key partners to draft a common work plan for 2014 based on the messaging from NDMOs, Position Statement Priority Areas, and cluster work plans.
Not actioned Incomplete
5 Further strengthen the development of Humanitarian Action Plans (response plans) during emergencies by taking into consideration best practices. Revision of the HAP template and guidance note accordingly and integrate the process into workshops and training.
Response Plans were used in RMI, Tonga, SoIomon Islands and Vanuatu, using best practice to continue improving the document and process. Revision of HAP guidance note will be done after the 2014 PHT meeting.
Progress
6 Establish Communication with Communities (CwC) working group to support mapping of information, education and communication materials from round the region and compile CwC best practices in the Pacific.
Working group established with UNICEF, UN Women, WHO and IFRC (observer). Worked together to develop cluster key messages in Tonga and Solomon Island emergencies, but limited uptake by Government and PHT partners
Incomplete
7 In 2014 Simulation exercises will require continued support and need to be linked to training activities and test priority areas identified by national partners.
Simulations are being conducted across the region. In 2014, simulations were held in Fiji, Vanuatu and Tonga. Training was linked to lessons learned outcomes from recent disasters.
Progress
Progress on 2013 Meeting Outcomes
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8 In an effort to strengthen Gender sensitive approaches by PHT partners across all aspects of their work, the following will take place: A) strengthen PHT Gender Surge support and Community of Practice; B) complete a 3W of Gender activities in the Pacific; and C) Develop a compendium of best practices on prevention of GBV in the Pacific
A) The PHT gender surge is developing an overarching gender strategy for the PHT, which again will be available for review prior to the end of 2014. B) 3W has commenced in five countries, and is progressing, particularly strongly in Solomon Islands. Cluster hopes to share results by the end of 2014. C) Best practices is underway.
9 A Pacific UNDAC strategy and accompany training program will be shared for discussion with NDMO and finalized in early 2014.
New UNDAC strategy has been finalized and will be ready to share in early 2015. UNDAC training was held in Asia in April including three representatives from Pacific countries. Plans for additional trainings are being formulated.
Progress
10 Continue to strengthen the relationship between the PHT and scientific bodies such as climate and early warning mechanisms to support humanitarian action with better severe weather and climate data.
Limited engagement with local weather service in Fiji
Limited progress
11 Update key information products for the region: Contingency stock mapping, 3W of PHT partners, PHT website as a common platform for during response.
Contingency stocks updated by OCHA in collaboration with PHT partners. Roll-out of Humanitarian Response website: https://pht.humanitarianresponse.info
Progress
No. Next steps – MEDIUM term PHT-ICCG response (as at Oct 2014) Status
12 PHT cluster work plans developed with partners to use as a guide for cluster activities in the coming 12 -24 months and be reported on in the next annual PHT meeting.
Workplans developed at 6th PHT Regional Workshop and to be updated at 7th PHT Regional Meeting.
Progress
13 PHT partners at all levels need to have greater disability-inclusive approaches to disaster risk management in the Pacific.
Disability partners developing guidance Progress
14 A number of early warning systems exist and some are being updated / revised, however, as humanitarians, the PHT partners need to translate early warning into appropriate early action with the aim of increasing resilience and getting communities back on their feet quicker following a disaster.
Collating individual updates, OCHA has provided regular updates and analysis on the possible El Nino to partners across the region. OCHA has consistently shared weather updates, analysis and other information relating to potential disasters in the region. When the information indicated that a disaster was likely, partners acted, as was the case in Tonga.
Progress
15 Strengthen PHT relationship with North Pacific following TC Bopha and RMI drought.
OCHA deployed to Palau following TS Haiyan in November 2013. OCHA deployed to RMI for the King Tides following request for PHT support. Clusters have engaged in workshops in the North Pacific.
Progress
16 Ensure better standardization of assistance packages through better coordination within the PHT and with NDMOs (from NGO round table).
Yet to be completed. Incomplete
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PHT Cluster Update 2013-2014 While not exhaustive, the following list includes tools and services offered by the PHT Clusters as well as some of capacity strengthening and response support provide over the past 12 months. As outlined in cluster terms of reference, core cluster responsibilities include the following:
• Inclusive approach • Coordination mechanisms • Participatory • Cross-cutting issues • Assessment • Strategy development/response planning • Standards • Information Management • Advocacy and resource mobilization • Preparedness and capacity building
As a preparedness measure and to strengthen national capacity, PHT Cluster Coordinators can provide guidance to respective national counterparts on responsibilities.
Health and Nutrition (WHO & UNICEF)
List of DRM related tools and services offered
• Modify and implement the IASC Health Facility and community based Initial Rapid Assessments across Guadalcanal province
• Implement the WHO "WASH During Health Emergencies" Health Facility Assessment in HCC clinics • Implement clear policies to assure effective coordination and division of responsibilities between National Disaster
Management Offices and Ministries of Health in disasters and other public health emergencies by the creation of a DRM-Health unit under the MHMS.
• Enhance the function of the newly created unit within the Ministry of Health that is responsible for disaster risk management (SI MHMS DRM-Health unit)
• 17 sites were enrolled in EWARN post flooding in April 2014. • EWARN Training was conducted onsite for more than 50 nurses. • Develop and implement data collection tools for a joint multi-cluster assessment in order to evaluate the potential to
empty evacuation centers, specifically focusing on areas related to the health, nutrition and protection clusters • Modify and implement data collection tools for the tracking of measles vaccination administration and coverage • Hospital Safety Index Assessment conducted at the National Referral Hospital. • Assessment of needs to improve medical waste in NRH was completed. • UNFPA has financial and staff resources including an Emergency Response Fund, which can be used in an emergency
situation to initiate programming. UNFPA also has Pacific, Asia-Pacific and Global surge capacity rosters. • Special immunization Activity (SIA) for measles/rubella accompanied by Vitamin A distribution implemented in flood
affected areas to all children under 5.
Nutrition (UNICEF) • Guidelines on Integrated Management of SAM developed by MHMS with support from UNICEF. • Nutrition assessment tool using SMART methodology was developed and survey was conducted using SMART .Health
staff trained on MUAC screening. Printing of Baby Books for flood affected population covering 7200 children supported by UNICEF to track health and nutrition status of children under 5.
Response support
• Strong response to Solomon Islands' April floods: • WHO CERF funded five IEHK so as to cover for 50,000 population for 3 months • Distribution of three Diarrhea Disease Kits • Provision of two 45sq meters Hospital tents and seven 27sq meters tents to support mobile sites • Rehabilitation of 7 flood affected health facilities in HCC and GP.
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• Rehabilitation of the water system safety of the SI National Referral Hospital in response to the floods and the diarrhea outbreak.
• Mobile clinics/teams (vehicles, drivers and fuel) supported through the post floods response and the country wide measles outbreak.
• 100 new-born resuscitation kits procured to the MHMS for the NRH and AHC located in flood affected communities. • Provision of child health and nutrition services to affected communities and evacuation centres in HCC and GP,
including mass measles immunization and nutritional assessment and education. • EWARN Training was conducted onsite for more than 50 nurses. • Training on the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) to support RH response in emergencies, as well as response
to sexual violence. This year, in partnership with MOH and SIPPA, UNFPA carried out a one-week MISP training for MOH and NGO staff working on RH.
• Distribution of MNP's in affected schools and flood affected sites of HCC and GP. • Therapeutic foods F-75, F-100 and ResoMal distributed to NRH for treatment of malnourished children. Additionally,
Ready to Use therapeutic food (RUTF) will be used for the community management of SAM. • Establishment of Stabilization Center in the children's ward undertaken with support by UNICEF. • Promotion of IYCF practices undertaken by Nutrition division MHMS using radio spots in HCC and GP broadcasted on
radio by Paoa FM and SIBC supported by UNICEF. • Provision of a nutrition supplies including Kit for Anemia screening, micronutrients (Vit A and MNP), deworming tablets,
zinc and ORS for diarrheal treatment, and anthropometric equipment, by UNICEF. Capacity strengthening and preparedness support
• Hospital Safety Index Assessment and NRH relocation recommendations study done and shared with NDMO and the National Recovery Committee.
• Pre-positioning of IEHK, DDK and tents at national level. • Stockpiling of Dignity Kits which include RH supplies, but are also an entry point to organizing focus group discussions
on RH and maternal health issues. Kits are prepositioned in Fiji and ready for rapid deployment. • Training on the management of acute diarrhea disease was developed and conducted with clinicians from NRH. • Provide training in the collection, collation and analysis of data for the initial rapid assessments, WASH during health
emergencies facility assessments and multi-cluster assessment tools • During the measles outbreak, provide data management training in HCC, Guadalcanal, Malaita and Western Province
in order to accurately track vaccine usage and calculate measles coverage during the mass vaccination campaign • EWARN Training was conducted onsite for more than 50 nurses. • Training on the management of acute diarrhea disease was developed and conducted with clinicians from NRH and
more than 60 nurses on the management of acute severe diarrhea in children. • During the measles outbreak training on clinical signs and symptoms of measles, management and surveillance was
conducted by WHO for all nurses in HCC clinics • Epinet training for 24 participants strengthen the capacity of the national and provincial surveillance and response
teams; and improve national surveillance processes. • Health staff representing all provinces trained on Integrated Management of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM). • Health staff from pilot sites trained on Community based management of SAM and for rolling out a pilot in these sites
for CMAM. • Stakeholder (NGOs, CBOs, FBOs) oriented on Community based management of SAM and IYCF practices. • NRH staff was oriented and supportive supervision for management of SAM cases after the training. • Nutrition team in MHMS trained on data processing using Epidata, EpiInfo, Excel and SPSS as well as SMART
analysis tool . • NiE sensitization involving health staff from provinces to ensure they are aware of nutrition issues of concern during
emergencies and recommended responses.
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Emergency Logistics (WFP)
List of DRM related tools and services offered
• Logistics Capacity Assessments completed for Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Solomon Islands, PNG and Vanuatu which can be found on the logcluster.org website.
• To ensure the sustainability of the Logistics Preparedness process, “Logistics Coordination Groups” (LCGs) were set up in the above countries as part of the WFP, ECHO funded Emergency Logistics Preparedness program in the Pacific region in 2012. Those LCGs are composed of representatives from the NDMOs, Red Cross, UN agencies, NGOs, as well as the main national Logistics Actors (governmental agencies such as Ports/Airports Authorities, transport companies, etc.) and tasked to implement the basic logistics preparedness measures identified.
• Contingency stocks are available through the UNHRD system (www.unhrd.org). The closest UNHRD depot being Subang (Malaysia)
• A comprehensive emergency logistics training curriculum has been designed specifically designed for governments by WFP. The modular four training package covers the full spectrum of emergency supply chain and logistics operations and can be tailored to suit the pacific context.
• WFP’s Regional Bureau for Asia – Pacific – located in Bangkok – is responsible for the Pacific Region. Hence, any specific technical request should be addressed to Bangkok’s office.
Response support
• WFP deployment of 2 logistics personnel to support the Solomon Island NDMO in identifying logistics gaps and bottlenecks in the flood response. This included supporting the Solomon Island Logistics Cluster to arrange storage, transport and distribution as well as establishing a food and NFI tracking system to gain greater visibility of the pipeline.
Capacity strengthening and preparedness support
• Short term deployment of a Logistics Coordinator to assist in strengthening logistics capacity. This was an Australian Volunteers for International Development (AVID) that worked with the Vanuatu NDMO.
• USAID funded, IOM implemented PREPARE project in the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. This five year project includes capacity building activities such as contingency planning, simulations, mapping of key infrastructure etc.
Recommendations from Vanuatu, Cyclone Lusi National Lessons Learned Exercise
• Strengthen Logistics Cluster – including ToRS • Further development of logistics procedures such as tracking and reporting systems • Logistics assessment forms need to be simplified and translated to Bislama. Also need training on use of assessment
tools by Logistics Cluster • Increase pre-positioned stock at the national and provincial levels • Further development of warehousing including possibly establishing logistics hubs in strategic locations. • MOUs with transport and service providers • Emergency funds to be made available immediately to support logistics response
Logistics Challenges identified in IFRC Emergency Appeal Final Report, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Drought
• Complexity of procurement of relief materials • Lack of air access due to overgrown runways, limited schedule and maintenance of planes • Transport, food and accommodation within the atolls/islands • Logistics challenges caused delays in the implementation process.
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Protection (OHCHR & UNHCR)
List of DRM related tools and services offered
• Pacific specific guidance materials on: 1) Protection risks and respective actions in the Pacific; 2) Sectorial protection issues; 3) Evacuation Centres; 4) Protection monitoring and assessments; 5) TORs for national protection cluster structures; 6) Displacement (IDP guiding principles and Durable Solutions framework; 7) Gender in cluster assessments
• Training or briefings on: Overall protection training (either broad or sectorial); Gender, GBV in emergencies • Advocacy material: 1) Key protection messages; 2) Protection Poster; 3) Protection leaflet
Response support
• Active engagement/deployment of the Protection Cluster Coordinator in the Tonga cyclone, providing MIA/ Safety and Protection Cluster and first responders with protection related technical assistance (guidance on evacuation centres, key protection messages etc.), advocating for inclusion of protection consideration of vulnerable groups (particularly ethnic minorities, disabled persons, elderly and sick) with NDMO and first responders.
• General advice on protection and support national actors in identifying and raising protection issues. • Supporting national protection cluster structures where appropriate and requested • Monitoring situations, highlighting concerns and providing technical assistance to address them. • Active engagement/deployment of the Protection Cluster Coordinator in the Solomon Islands flooding, providing
NDMO/IDP and Welfare Cluster and first responders with protection related technical assistance (guidance on evacuation centres, key protection messages etc.), advocating for inclusion of protection consideration of vulnerable groups (particularly ethnic minorities, disabled persons, elderly and sick) with NDMO and first responders.
• Deployment of ProCAP/Global Protection Cluster deployee to follow up in the response in Solomon Islands. • Deployment of Gender Surge capacity for assistance in integrating gender into national and regional cluster responses.
(UN Women, UNFPA) Capacity strengthening and preparedness support
• Protection Officer seconded to UNHCR by RedR Australia for a period of six months, based in Suva, and hosted by UN Human Rights, over the duration of the 2013-2014 cyclone season.
• Complete and enhance toolbox on Protection in humanitarian action. Protection briefing materials and training sessions developed, including: country specific protection risks and profiles: technical guidance on evacuation centre management, registration and relocation; key advocacy messages for protection in emergencies developed.
• Undertook Protection training with Save the Children and MWSW in Ba, Fiji. • GBV workshop conducted in Solomon Islands (UN Women, UNFPA)
List of DRM related tools and services offered Child Protection:
• Expertise and technical support on child protection including psychosocial support and set up of Child Friendly Spaces. • Contingency supplies for child protection. • Child Protection toolkit and IEC materials.
Response support Child Protection:
• Child protection response to TC Ian in Tonga including provision of training on psychosocial support; recreation kits; contributed to protection assessments.
• Child protection response to floods in Solomon Islands including psychosocial support; recreation kits; IEC materials; contributed to protection assessments and training.
• Support to IDP and Welfare Cluster for secretariat functions (UNICEF) in Solomon Islands. • Capacity development on child protection for civil society partners responding to the floods in Solomon Islands.
Capacity strengthening and preparedness support Child Protection:
• Child Protection in Emergencies training. • Government and civil society representatives from Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu as well as UN partners
came together in Nadi to participate in the South Pacific sub regional CPiE workshop organised by UNICEF Pacific in
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December 2013. The discussions resulted in a declaration by partners "The Pacific Islands Commitment to Child Protection in Emergencies".
• Supported and organised multi cluster protection training for Solomon Islands. Focus on Protection Mainstreaming across sectors.
• Supported protection training for Fiji Government partners.. • Child Protection in Emergencies training for Palau, FSM, RMI and Tonga scheduled for November 2014.(10th /13th
November 2014) in Palau. • Child Protection in Emergencies toolkit developed and recreation kits prepositioned.
Education in Emergencies (UNICEF & SC)
List of DRM related tools and services offered • Technical expertise in Education in Emergencies (EiE) and Technical services provided to MoE and Education Cluster • Provided technical assistance to the MoE in Fiji, Solomons and Tonga in supporting initial damage assessment of
schools, data collection, analysis and compilation of disaster damage assessment report. In addition, supporting MoE in efficiently and effectively coordinating with the Education Cluster and the donors with the allocation of available resources to meet the immediate and early recovery disaster response for affected children and schools.
• Contingency stocks for education, child protection and children’s health. • Supported the MoE in Fiji with the development of approval of the EiE and School Safety Policy in Fiji
Response support
• Strong EiE response in January, April Tropical Cyclone Evan in Fiji, Tropical Cyclone Ian in Tonga, Flood in the Solomon’s respectively followed by lessons learned exercise – in particular to incorporate child protection, psychosocial, gender and disabilities.
• UNICEF as co-lead with Save the Children supported the MoE take the lead role in the Education Cluster. • Provide technical assistance support for the MoE in Fiji, Ministry of Education Human Resource Development
(MEHRD) Solomons and MoE and Training (MET) in Tonga coordinate conduct the initial rapid assessment for Education in disasters that hit those countries.
• Provide technical assistance support for the MoE in collection, analysis of data and allocation of available resources to meet immediate and early recovery response plans and implementation.
• Support the MoE in the establishment temporary learning spaces through the provision of (tents) and school in the box kits with teaching and learning materials for schooling (relief response) as part immediate response to enable the affected schools open classes at the earliest time possible to enable affected children access education as well as other support such as psycho-social support, provision of clean water, school feeding programme to rehabilitate children get back to normalcy.
• Support the affected children with back packs containing books, pens, ruler and all necessary stationery required by a primary or secondary school children to access school.
• Support the MoE to offer opportunities to catch up on lost class work during the closure of schools in the aftermath of the disaster (for example, shorten vacation periods)
• Support the MoE in adopting Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Action in the implementation of the disaster infrastructure and facilities early recovery rehabilitation.
• Together with partners NZAID and AUSAID supported the MoE in Fiji, MEHRD, MET in Tonga and MEHRD in Solomons with the EiE Rehabilitation Assistance.
Capacity strengthening and preparedness support
• Functional national level Education Cluster in Fiji, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu chaired by Ministry of Education (MoE).
• Pre-positioning of EiE stocks in country (Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Fiji) and regionally (in Brisbane) with the procurement of local stationary supplies suited to the Pacific.
• Finalisation of Education Needs Assessment template for the Pacific and now utilised in Fiji, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu Education Clusters.
• Developments and finalisation of Country Level EiE Policy and Preparedness Plans in three countries. • Development and roll out of School Preparedness Plans for disaster prone schools in Solomon Islands and Front Line
Responder Trainings. • The inclusion of EiE in the MoE Strategic and Annual Corporate Plan in Fiji. • Roll out of Disaster Management Plans and Emergency Evacuation Plans (EEP) for schools in Fiji through School
Planning and Safer Schools workshops.
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• In Vanuatu, development of school safety plans, DRR in Education Curriculum Pilot Plans and DRR, CCA and EiE workshops for 37 Principal and Head Teachers.
• Integration of DRR in Education as a key aspect of EiE preparedness to encourage seamless transitioning from preparedness and response towards mitigation and development in education.
• Facilitated Pacific Education Cluster Coordination Training in September 2012 which included child protection, DRR, gender and disabilities.
• Strong EiE response in Tropical Cyclones in Fiji and Tonga and Floods in the Solomons followed by lessons learned exercise – in particular to incorporate child protection, psychosocial, gender and disabilities.
• Strong engagement on EiE with key donors in the region to ensure funding for response and support to EiE preparedness.
• Provided support during Education in Emergencies workshop and technical assistance in developing workshop agenda (GenCap)
• Presentation of session on effective integration of Gender in EiE (GenCap) • Support the MoE in Fiji conduct EiE training for District Education Officers from the 9 Education Districts on Initial
Assessment and fine tuning the Damage Assessment forms for Social Protection in Schools and Damage Assessment forms on School Infrastructure and Facilities. This EiE was integrated into the monitoring and acquittal of the Internal Assessment training workshop for class 1- 3 teachers. The training enhanced the improvement of Initial Damage Assessment carried out by the district in December 2012 compared to the flood 1 & 2 in January and March 2012. This contributed to the completion of the MoE Disaster Damage Assessment Report for cyclone Evan within a short period of time compared to the flood 1 & 2.
• UNICEF together with Save the Children and the Fiji Education Cluster has supported MoE in Fiji with Disaster Management Officer’s position and resources within the MoE to support Disaster Management and DRR work.
• Support formulation of the EiE and School Safety Policy recently approved by the MoE in Fiji. • Supported the MoE in the formulation and the approval of the Minimum Quality WASH Infrastructure and Facilitates
Standards for schools in Fiji
Food Security Cluster (FAO)
List of DRM related tools and services offered • Technical assistance (remote and through surge missions) in the design of post-disaster assessment forms, ranging
from rapid assessment, sector-specific (e.g. Crops, livestock, fisheries) and ‘formal’ Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA)
• Technical assistance and review of proposed agricultural interventions (whether as part of HAP, Recovery Action Plan or other strategies)
• Guidance on food aid rations • El Nino/ENSO climate information and products baseline survey conducted at Ministry-level • Solomon islands: development of range of materials related to DRM in agriculture (crop manual, DRM agriculture
techniques fact sheet for natural disasters) Response support
• Tonga – Tropical Cyclone Ian: provided three surge support missions under the Cluster: one for the design of assessment questionnaires and survey design; second for assessment data analysis and report writing (damage report issued by MAFFF); third in support of the nascent national-level Food Security and Agriculture cluster. Cluster members Oxfam, provided immediate surge support in the area of food aid; livelihoods; A significant cash for work programme was implemented in Ha’apai by UNDP. Support for successful donor proposal formulation for Australia. The cluster reached a membership of over 15 entities, including two ministries, two UN agencies, international NGOs, local NGOs.
• Solomon Islands: immediate surge support for the Food Security and Livelihoods cluster to assist Min RD and MAL in formulation of FS section of the HAP to complement ongoing UNDP support to the cluster; revision and amendment of agriculture initial rapid assessment form; active national cluster (multiple members) produced 3 W of livelihoods interventions (including standardized rations, rationalized intervention areas). The cluster reached an active membership of 20 organizations, including UN agencies, NGOs, and five government departments.
• Vanuatu: World Animal Protection provided support to the national cluster following TC Lusi in the area of assessment activities including review of assessment forms and guidance on data analysis
Capacity strengthening and preparedness support
• Ongoing support (surge and remote) to the national Food Security clusters in Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands to ensure these remain functional, develop/refine ToRs, work-plans, identify areas where support is required (nationally or regionally)
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• Support to Tonga FS and LH cluster to conduct lessons learned review of Cyclone response to map out improved preparedness planning, tools and mechanisms
• Needs assessment training programme developed for Vanuatu (FAO, World Animal Protection) for delivery in Oct/Nov • Surge support for Vanuatu FS and Ag Cluster (3-month coordination support) • Population of new Food Security Cluster page of PHT site with guidance, lessons learned reports, etc.]
Shelter (IFRC)
List of DRM related tools and services offered • Active shelter cluster website https://www.sheltercluster.org/Pages/default.aspx
− Key Documents; historic and current activated clusters; cluster evaluation, contingency planning; settlement planning; shelter programming.
− Specification for shelter and household non-food items (NFIs). − Cross-Cutting. − Coordination Toolkit.
• Training and capacity building available: − Emergency shelter response training - using IFRC standard shelter tool kits and tarpaulins. − Shelter cluster coordination functions at national level workshop.
• Global standards and best practice: − https://www.sheltercluster.org/References/Pages/ShelterSpecifications.aspx − http://www.ifrc.org/what-we-do/disaster-management/responding/services-for-the-disaster-affected/shelter-and-
settlement/ • Regional standards and best practice:
− Build back safer poster developed for Fiji. − Transitional shelter manual developed for Fiji. − Evacuation centres guidelines for Fiji. − Sample of Pacific islands Government housing policies.
• Human resource capacity: − IFRC disaster management staff with shelter and settlements capacity. − IFRC roster of shelter staff (international, regional and national).
• Emergency prepositioning of shelter and household Non Food Items stocks − IFRC disaster preparedness stock. − Habitat for Humanity were going to pre stock some transitional shelters − Other partners still to be defined.
Response support
• Provided in country coordination in Tonga for TC Ian, February and March 2014. • Provided in country shelter cluster coordination support to the Solomon Islands Government in the response for the
flooding in Honiara and Guadalcanal, April and May 2014. • Implementation of emergency shelter and household NFI's through RCRC National societies in response to:
− TC Ian, Tonga, 2014 − Solomon Island, Floods, 2014
Capacity strengthening and preparedness support
• Emergency Shelter Cluster and Evacuation Centre Management training 21-25 July 2014, Apia, Samoa. The training was attended by 23 participants. All the national participants were representatives from the Government of Samoa's Disaster Advisory Committee (DAC) Response Sub Committee: Welfare and Internally Displaced People (IDP). Regional representatives who attended included NDMO's from Fiji and Solomon Islands, Habitat for Humanity head of office in Fiji.
• As part of Solomon Island Floods the cluster carried out multi-agency shelter kit training. • Shelter Cluster lead in Solomon Islands (Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey) was assisted in the review of the
Emergency Shelter Response to the floods
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Water, Sanitation and Hygiene – WASH (UNICEF)
List of DRM related tools and services offered • Contingency stocks available including water containers, water quality testing kits, soap, purification tablets, etc., as
well as relevant WASH communication and awareness products • Technical expertise in WASH in Emergencies through in-country assistance in WASH Cluster coordination and
contingency planning • Support actions on hygiene behaviour during emergencies through development and use of WASH advocacy tools
including support for Key Family Practices • Mobilization of the Pacific WASH Cluster to coordinate WASH responses at a regional level
Response support
• Following the impact of Cyclone Ian on Ha'apai in the Kingdom of Tonga in January 2014, support was provided to the Tonga WASH Cluster led by the Ministry of Health on assessments, coordination, distribution of supplies, mapping and monitoring in close collaboration with Tonga WASH sector stakeholders.
• Following the flash floods in Guadalcanal and Honiara in the Solomon Islands April 2014, support was provided to the Solomon Islands WASH Cluster led by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services on rapid assessments, distribution of supplies, coordination, damage and loss assessments, monitoring and information management in close collaboration with members of the Solomon Islands WASH sector working group.
• Following the period of drought in Fiji in August 2014, support was provided to the Fiji WASH and Health Clusters led by the Ministry of Health with the development of a drought contingency plan
Capacity strengthening and preparedness support
• National WASH Cluster training and preparation of contingency / preparedness plan for WASH Clusters in Fiji, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
• Programme cooperation agreements established with TNYC/OXFAM for the Tonga Cyclone Ian response and with Save the Children, IFRC/Solomon Islands Red Cross, and World Vision for the flash flood response in the Solomon Islands.
• Pacific WASH Cluster members received additional training from UNICEF's global emergency WASH Adviser in the fields of Resource Mobilization; Information Management; Collaborative Leadership and Contingency Planning.
• Development of minimum standards for WASH in Schools in Fiji Islands and Solomon Islands in collaboration with MoEs and close collaboration with Education Clusters.
• Lessons learned exercises in Tonga and Solomon Islands following previous disasters have informed preparedness actions.
• Support provided to MoH in Fiji to evaluate the distribution and use of WASH kits during cyclone Evan. • Updated contact lists for national WASH partners and networks.
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Background Information Global Humanitarian Programme Cycle The Humanitarian Programme Cycle refers to the phases and corresponding programmatic activities of disaster response, helping government and humanitarian actors to better coordinate and sequence their activities to ensure a more effective response. It guides the way in which humanitarian actors engage – with each other, with national and local authorities, and with people affected by crises – to achieve more effective, efficient, predictable and transparent outcomes. Emergency preparedness is a distinct element of, and underpins, the entire cycle. Further information about the HPC is available at http://www.humanitarianresponse.info/programme-cycle/space Common Framework for Preparedness The ‘Common Framework for Preparedness’ supports the development of preparedness capacity in a more coherent manner using a systematic country level approach that collectively assesses capacity and need, uses this assessment to jointly develop programs and plans, and implements these programs and plans to strengthen preparedness. Preparedness is situated within an overall, nationally led, disaster risk management context, which includes prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery measures. The framework can be downloaded at https://docs.unocha.org/sites/dms/ROWCA/Coordination/Common_Framework_for_Preparedness_Oct2013.pdf World Humanitarian Summit The UN Secretary-General will convene the World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) - first-ever global humanitarian summit of this scale- in Istanbul in 2016. The goal of this summit is to find new ways to tackle humanitarian needs in our fast-changing world. Currently, the global community faces many challenges such as climate change, rapid population growth, urbanization, and water shortages. At the same time, there have global economic shifts, new actors engaged in humanitarian action, and tremendous improvements in technology. Given these challenges and opportunities, we need to improve how we respond to disasters and conflicts. This three-year initiative is being managed by the UN OCHA. The summit will set a new agenda for global humanitarian action. The summit focuses on four key themes. These are humanitarian effectiveness, reducing
vulnerability and managing risk, transformation through innovation, and serving the needs of people in conflict. Prior to the WHS 2016, regional consultations are being held to identify and share solutions to our most pressing humanitarian challenges. It is anticipated that the Regional Consultations for the Pacific will be held mid- 2015. More information about the World Humanitarian Summit is available at http://www.worldhumanitariansummit.org Regional PHT Position Statement 2014-2020 The PHT Position Statement 2014 to 2020 has been developed based on findings from the PHT Performance Review 2008 to 2012, completed in February 2013. The review recommended the development of a PHT Position Statement which clearly defines PHT roles and responsibilities, how the PHT provides support to NDMOs and line ministries in disaster preparedness and response and the future direction of the PHT. The PHT Position Statement was drafted by a PHT Strategic Advisory Group (SAG) from June to October 2013. It was further revised and finalized with inputs from NDMOs and PHT partners during consultations at the 6th Annual PHT Workshop held from 21 to 25 October 2013. The document includes three priority focus areas: Focus Area 1 PHT partners to improve quality and coordination of capacity strengthening initiatives at national level - To provide predictable and reliable support to national capacity strengthening, PHT partners should align their support behind national priorities in a coordinated manner and according to their comparative advantage. Focus Area 2 Enhanced PHT cluster performance – efficient management or functioning of regional PHT clusters is the joint responsibility of the Cluster Lead Agency and cluster members with the aim of supporting national partners in preparedness and response. Focus Area 3 Information management, monitoring and evaluation and assessments - Strengthening the collection and use of primary (e.g. assessment) and secondary (baseline data, maps etc.) data is a priority for improved disaster preparedness and response. The PHT Position Statement can be downloaded at http://reliefweb.int/report/world/pacific-humanitarian-team-position-statement-2014-2020
Background Information
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Emergency Response and Preparedness Plan The Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan, or the EPREP, is designed to guide inter-agency humanitarian action in the Pacific, and consolidates information on the humanitarian architecture, tools and services of the PHT. The objective of the EPREP is to define the coordination mechanisms of the PHT (at various levels of response) and the relevant Government institutions for emergency preparedness and response. Furthermore, its objective is to outline the mechanisms through which PHT members can link to Government structures to ensure the most effective and efficient means of coordination and information sharing during an emergency. The EPREP aims to prepare humanitarian stakeholders to provide more efficient and effective support to Pacific Island Governments before, during and after an emergency response to minimise the humanitarian consequences of disasters. The EPREP, in particular the cluster plans, provide the roadmap through which future collaborative humanitarian action will be carried out in the region. The plan can be downloaded at http://reliefweb.int/report/world/emergency-preparedness-response-plan-guide-inter-agency-humanitarian-action-pacific 20th Regional Disaster Managers Meeting Chair’s Summary The 20th Regional Disaster Managers Meeting was convened jointly by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community and the UNOCHA in Suva, Fiji on 5-6 June 2014. The purpose of the meeting was to provide NDMOs the opportunity to consider recent developments and to articulate specific capacity building priorities in ‘disaster management’ (disaster preparedness and response) for the medium term.
The objectives of the meeting were to:
• Provide participants with an opportunity to share and learn from recent national experiences in disaster response
• Identify the areas of preparedness and response in which NDMOs require specific training and capacity building support over the medium term, and identify suitable activities to address these needs.
• Develop a ‘roadmap’ for capacity building activities for the next 12 months, identifying areas of cross‐fertilization between NDMOs (in line with the PHT Position Statement)
• Determine a way forward for the draft DRM Competency Framework for the Pacific
• Guide the future implementation of the EDF10 ACP‐EU Project: Building the Safety & Resilience of the Pacific.
The document can be downloaded at http://reliefweb.int/report/world/20th-regional-disaster-managers-meeting-chairs-summary
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Detailed Agenda Tuesday 28 October 2014 Session 1: Global and regional guidance Session Time: 9:10 – 9:30
Presenter / Facilitator Mark Shapiro (WFP) and Nastaran Jafari (Independent Consultant) On the reflection and analysis of humanitarian action in the Pacific over the last few years, it has been identified that a key area of improvement is greater clarity and coordination amongst partners prior to, and during, humanitarian responses. The PHT have undertaken numerous actions to address these areas, particularly through the collective development of the PHT Position Statement and the Emergency Response and Preparedness Plan (EPREP): A Guide to Inter-agency Humanitarian Action in the Pacific. While the Position Statement guides the vision and goals of the PHT until 2020, the EPREP is a living document which needs to keep pace with current developments in the local, regional and global environment. The purpose of this session is to highlight the key points of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Humanitarian Program Cycle (HPC) and EPREP as global and regional guidance, respectively, to assist the PHT to develop clear actions, better coordinate and sequence our activities and ensure a more effective disaster response and how it relates to the 2014 PHT Meeting programme. The HPC refers to the phases and corresponding programmatic activities of disaster response, helping government and humanitarian actors to better coordinate and sequence their activities to ensure a more effective response. Emergency preparedness is a distinct element of, and underpins, the entire cycle. Session 2: Disaster Scales and Triggering Regional Support Session Time: 9:30 – 10:30
Presenter / Facilitator Sune Gudnitz (OCHA) and John Titmus (MCDEM NZ) The pressures and requests on NDMO’s are exacerbated during a humanitarian response. Imminent requests are sought from numerous partners including donors, line ministries, UN Agencies, NGO’s and the affected communities. To manage these heavy demands and expectations, this session aims to generate awareness and understanding of the regional support available during a humanitarian response in the Pacific. This will be achieved through:
• Clarifying the various levels and types of disasters in relation to emergencies within the Pacific region which are often on a comparatively smaller scale; and
• Demonstrating the different levels of regional support available from the PHT and other stand by arrangements. Session 3: PHT 2013-2014 Year in Review Session Time: 11:00 – 11:45
Presenter / Facilitator Elizabeth Christy (FAO) and Vuli Gauna (IFRC) During every PHT Meeting, a year in review session is facilitated to reflect on activities which were conducted during the closing disaster season, consolidate our learnings and to generate future solutions. This session outlines the key milestones of the individual PHT Clusters over the past 12 months, with specific reference to their:
• Disaster Risk Management tools and services offered; • Response support; and • Capacity strengthening and preparedness support
Detailed Agenda
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Session 4a: Outcomes of the NDMO Meeting – Priorities and Preparedness Session Time: 11:45 – 12:30
Presenter / Facilitator Loti Yates (NDMO Solomon Islands) and Leveni Aho (NEMO Tonga) On Monday 27 October, a pre-meeting session was held for NDMOs to share open and honest feedback on the key issues facing humanitarian action in the Pacific. Priority issues and actions were identified based on the most recent successes and challenges of the 2013-2014 disaster season, and the following key documents:
• Chairs summary from 20th Regional Disaster Managers Meeting • Priorities identified by NDMOs at the 6th PHT meeting in 2013 • Focus areas of the PHT Position Statement 2014-2020 • PHT Performance Review 2008-2012
The pre-meeting session enabled NDMOs to openly question the effectiveness of existing humanitarian response mechanisms and whether they are adequately serving the needs of affected populations. Consultations were layered to include discussion of the diverse and complex facets of PHT activities in the Pacific including preparedness and response by cluster, inter-cluster coordination, and addressing the needs of vulnerable communities through inclusive practices. This session shares the key points of consultation identified during the NDMO pre-meeting to ensure the direction of the PHT Workshop sessions remains centred on the needs of Pacific national authorities and Pacific communities. Session 4b: Cluster strengthening and partnerships Session Time: 13:30 – 16:30
Presenter / Facilitator Nastaran Jafari (Independent Consultant) This session will seek to identify what an emergency response in the Pacific should ideally look like. Discussions will draw on operational examples from recent emergencies and how partners have worked together. This session further seeks to clarify where in the disaster cycle different partners should provide assistance and how communication at strategic and operational levels can be improved. Guidelines for discussion include:
• To overcome barriers to coordination we witnessed with particular emphasis on recent disasters this year; • To clarify where the different partners come in and how we communicate at strategic and operational levels with
government and amongst ourselves; • To identify what an emergency response in the Pacific "should" ideally look like; and • To identify best ways for PHT clusters to harness member capacity and non-traditional resources including effective
utilisation of NGOs, donors and the private sector to ensure sufficient technical and financial resources. Session 5: 2014-2015 Season Outlook Session Time: 16:30 – 17:15
Presenter / Facilitator Neville Koop (Nadraki) This session provides the 2014-15 Pacific cyclone season outlook and El Nino status. The information should in turn act as major considerations in the development and implementation of our cluster activities within the PHT. PHT participants are strongly encouraged to view this session as a significant link to current and future environmental challenges within the Pacific and how our clusters can integrate environmental sustainability and climate change adaptation within our activities. 2014/2015 Cyclone Season Update:
• Southwest Pacific likely to experience near average numbers of cyclones over the season • The outlook indicates between 8 to 12 cyclone expected over the season (November to April) • In general a likelihood of reduced activity during the early season (November to January) and increased activity during
the late season (February to April) • Below normal activity expected for Vanuatu and New Caledonia • Increase activity expected for Samoa, Tuvalu, Tokelau, Niue, and the Southern Cook Islands • Possibility of two or more cyclones passing close to the main island groups for Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga, Wallis and Futuna,
Samoa, Niue, Tokelau and Tuvalu.
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Wednesday 29 October 2014 Session 6: Climate Change and the consequences of human mobility and displacement in the Pacific Session Time: 8:45 – 9:30
Presenter / Facilitator Dr Julia Edwards (Pacific Conference of Churches) Every year, millions of people are forcibly displaced by floods, wind-storms, earthquakes, droughts and other natural hazards. In the context of climate change, such movements are likely to increase. National and international responses to this challenge are insufficient and protection for affected people remains inadequate. Launched in October 2012 by the Governments of Switzerland and Norway, the Nansen Initiative is a state-led, bottom-up consultative process intended to build consensus on the development of a protection agenda addressing the needs of people displaced by natural hazards, including the effects of climate change. Building on consultations from the PIF and SIDS, the Nansen Initiative regional consultations have identified entry points for PHT humanitarian partners to practically engage and support preparedness within the imminent issues generated by climate change. This session discusses the particular concern of the protection of displaced populations due to slow onset climate change and rapid onset emergencies, the need for legislative frameworks, and corresponding action, to support vulnerable communities. Session 7: Protection, gender and disability in practice Session Time: 9:30 – 10:30
Presenter / Facilitator Maha Muna (UNFPA), Philippa Ross (UN Women), Suzanne Paisley (SPC), Katabwena Tawaka (Pacific Disability Forum) and Catherine Gordon (UNHCR)
In 2014, two toolkits were developed; a SPC/GIZ/UN Women toolkit on Gender and Climate Change, and Disability Inclusive Violence Against Women (VAW) programming. While many of us are aware that gender, protection and disability does matter for sustainable development and climate change adaptation and mitigation, we may not know clearly how it matters, and what tools are available that can help to assess how it matters. Knowing is also not enough: we must apply this knowledge in a practical way when we design and implement activities, and ensure that we are capturing useful and important information through our monitoring and evaluation frameworks. This toolkit provides advice at a practical level, to address these needs. The principles and practices proposed in this toolkit are based on many decades of experience in the integration of inclusivity in sustainable development, natural resources management and disaster preparedness. The Protection, Gender and Disability session will focus on introducing practical guidance and toolkits to PHT participants. The session will introduce participants to tool kits and support them in applying selected tools in an effort to reduce vulnerability. The session aims to remind participants of the social dimensions of vulnerability and/or resilience to see if they can adequately identify and consider these issues. Session 8: Coordinated needs assessment and analysis Session Time: 11:00 – 12:30
Presenter / Facilitator Kirstie Meheux (SPC), Litea Biukoto (SPC), Rashmi Rita (OCHA) and Michael Arunga (OCHA) Experience has shown that coordinating needs assessments is an important element in saving lives and restoring people's livelihoods. Along with emergency preparedness, the timeliness and quality of assessments help determine an effective humanitarian response. This session will look at the classic coordinated assessment framework and examine how it applies to countries in the Pacific. This session will also build on lessons learnt from past emergencies and develop a common framework for capacity building with references to challenges and opportunities in conducting assessments. The objective of this session is to seek commitment from partner organisations to ensure that humanitarian response is timely, evidence based and that different assessments are coordinated to build a common operational picture.
Detailed Agenda
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Session 9: Cluster work plans Session Time: 13:30 – 15:30
Presenter / Facilitator Nastaran Jafari (Independent Consultant) and PHT cluster coordinators In 2011 the PHT ICCG agreed on a standard work plan template which Cluster Lead Agencies and partners could work on as a living document throughout the course of the year. The purpose of this session is for clusters to update their previous year work plans in consultation with partners and identify priority activities to address weaknesses and gaps in the coming 12 to 24 months. In particular the NDMO’s recommendations shared on Day 1 of the Workshop will be strongly incorporated within each of the cluster work plans. This includes ensuring that preparedness, response and program activities of each cluster are inclusive of regular consultation and engagement with the respective NDMO’s and the relevant national authorities. This aims to ensure that any activities conducted by PHT partners are not separate to, nor inconsistent with, the needs and plans of national authorities. Once this alignment is incorporated within our initial cluster planning, it will protect against divergence in implementation between PHT partners and national authorities. For this exercise to be relevant and meaningful, the activities within each cluster work plan are to be tangible and practical, managed, delivered within specified timeframe and incorporated into individual and team operational work plans to link strategic objectives to operational resources. Session 10: Overcoming logistics challenges Session Time: 16:00– 17:00
Presenter / Facilitator Anna Young (WFP), Vuli Gauna (IFRC) and Sean Torbit (MFAT) Due to the vast distances between islands and the remoteness of communities, there are significant logistical challenges in the event of emergency response in this region. There is however significant capacity in Pacific Nations to undertake logistical responses including skilled staff, transport assets, storage facilities and active logistics cluster who are able to coordinate logistics arrangements in an emergency. This capacity has been further enhanced by the work conducted by agencies such as Red Cross, WFP and other actors to reinforce the logistics and coordination mechanisms of Pacific Nations to enable them to respond to emergencies in a timely and effective manner. This session will focus on how Pacific Nations can increase their national logistics capacity, as well as how we as the Pacific community can establish robust systems and capacity for assisting neighboring nations in logistics preparedness and response activities. Emphasis will be on how best to undertake this work to ensure its sustainability and success. Session 11: Strategic Response Plans Session Time: 17:30 – 18:15 Presenter / Facilitator: Michael Arunga (OCHA) The purpose of this session is to share new guidance on Preliminary Response Plans. It will also discuss what we need from humanitarian partners to prepare humanitarian action plans including situation and needs analysis. Response plans are a management tool for country-based decision makers. Plans articulate the shared vision of how to respond to the affected population’s assessed and expressed needs. It has two interlinked components: a country or context strategy, with strategic objectives and indicators; and cluster plans, with objectives, activities and accompanying projects. Together they detail how the strategy will be implemented and how much funding is required.
Session 12: Collaborative public information and communications with communities Session Time: 17:30 – 18:15 Presenter / Facilitator: Elisabeth McLeod (OCHA) and Yuan-Kwan Chan (Reliefweb) This session will provide an overview of public information products distributed in emergencies, and the importance of two-way communication and advocating with one voice. It will also discuss communication examples during the 2013-14 disaster season, as well as capacity challenges and how these can be addressed. The editor of Reliefweb in Asia-Pacific will provide an overview of information products and services in emergencies and also seek to understand the information needs of humanitarian responders in the region.
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Thursday 30 October 2014 Session 13: Private Partnerships in Emergencies Session Time: 9:00 - 10:00
Presenter / Facilitator Anna Krikun (ADRA), Asitha Sunnadeniya (Morris Hedstrom Supermarkets), Moortaza Jiwanji (UNDP) and Timothy Wilcox (UNISDR)
Partnerships are at the centre of effective humanitarian response. Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) are collaborative agreements between State-run or public entities, such as the United Nations and NGO’s, and private sector organizations. With the current scarce human and financial resources within the humanitarian sector, working with private entities provides numerous benefits and efficacies for humanitarian community including utilising technological innovation and expertise. The session seeks to:
• Explore the benefits and challenges of collaboration of the private sector and humanitarian actors; and • Encourage collaboration with the private sector, where appropriate and aligned with humanitarian principles.
This session shares the following two recent examples demonstrating collaboration of the private and humanitarian sectors to improve effectiveness and efficiency in humanitarian action through innovation and technology. UNDP and Digicel Tonga: Tropical Cyclone Ian On 29th May 2014 UNDP and Digicel Tonga signed an agreement to partner in the Cash For Work Project in Ha’apai, Tonga following Tropical Cyclone Ian in January 2014. Under the Post Cyclone Livelihoods Recovery and Cash for Work Project in Ha’apai Tonga, UNDP has been providing assistance to the affected communities to facilitate the transition from emergency relief to longer-term development and sustainability. This includes the provision of temporary Cash For Work income to disaster affected families to cover immediate financial needs and accelerate the recovery of traditional livelihoods such as handicrafts and agriculture. The partnership between UNDP and Digicel Tonga will offer the Cash For Work participants especially the most vulnerable such as single mothers, elderly and disabled, mobile money services with zero withdrawal fees, mobile phones and SIM cards and data enabled handsets. Mobile money services will enable participants to receive funds in a timely, efficient and less costly manner. UN Resident Coordinator, Osnat Lubrani noted UNDP’s partnership with Digicel, in the area of financial inclusion, and welcomed this innovative way of reaching people affected by Cyclone Ian. Digicel also provided general aid relief and assisted in transporting members of the Royal Family, the Prime Minister, Government Officials and aid organizations on a chartered flight to Ha’apai to help assess the damage. The flight also assisted in the transportation of aid relief from the Churches and wider community. In addition, all Digicel customers received free credit to call loved ones in Ha’apai and additional support included solar charging stations for all to power up their mobile phones and laptops to stay connected with their families. Going forward, Digicel Tonga will donate all funds raised through Digicel Stars Tonga towards the relief efforts in helping Ha’apai. ADRA, ECHO and Morris Hedstrom (MH) Supermarket Fiji: Tropical Cyclone Evan In March 2013 the Adventist Development & Relief Agency (ADRA), funded by the European Commission Humanitarian Organization (ECHO), started a recovery project in the Western Division of Fiji and Yasawa Islands. As part of this food security, livelihood and child protection activity, a cash modality component was introduced. Food and agricultural vouchers were distributed to those affected by the cyclone and the generally vulnerable population of Nadi, Lautoka, Ba and Tavua areas. A total of 1,387 households in the targeted areas received a set of 4 vouchers (3 food vouchers and 1 agricultural voucher). The vouchers came to a total value of 380 FJD per family. During the distribution ADRA was continuously evaluating incoming information of the damage that occurred and the needs of the local population. In September 2013 ADRA, through ECHO funding and through cooperation with Morris Hedstrom, was able to further support an additional 1210 families with a 200 FJD food voucher. The project ultimately improved the quality of the diet of the targeted households affected by Cyclone Evan. The support provided complemented the existing food sources of the population to ensure that they had sufficient nutritional meals. At the same time it supported the efforts of subsistence farmers to recover from crops that were damaged or lost during cyclone Evan. MH supermarket assisted ADRA with the development of the voucher design and helped to establish a functioning redeeming system. The vouchers were developed to ensure maximum flexibility, coverage of primary needs, ease of understanding and security for the local population. The coordinating staff of ECHO in the South Pacific Region acknowledged the successful experience of this cash modality project which was the first of its kind in the South Pacific. ADRA formulated guidelines for the modality and is looking forward to implementing further projects of this kind in the South Pacific.
Detailed Agenda
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Session 14: NGO support and commitment Session Time: 10:30 – 11:30
Presenter / Facilitator Raijeli Nicole (Save the Children Fiji), Gerard Ganaba (World Vision International), Charlie Damon (CARE International), Jennifer Worthington (Oxfam) and Mark Mitchell (Caritas New Zealand) Facilitated by Laisani Petersen (UNICEF)
During the 2013 Annual PHT Workshop, NDMO representatives developed a list which identified their key needs and areas of support. One key area of support identified that the PHT should look at ways to strengthen linkages with NGOs at country level. With a limited number of NGOs in countries that work in disaster preparedness and response, NDMOs felt that PHT can assist the countries by developing NGOs capacity to better respond to disasters and therefore provide additional capacity to assist governments in coordinating disaster or emergency response. NGOs often provide effective ways to reach the unreached. NGO programs have demonstrated how marginalised communities have been engaged, innovations introduced at the grassroots level, and effective programs and approaches scaled up to drive changes in government systems, policy and practice at both a local and national level. They are able to demonstrate that innovations and reforms are worthwhile, affordable and manageable in local contexts and can work from a modest base to leverage fundamental change which larger players may fail to do. With these advantages of working with, and through, NGOs in mind, this session aims to open the conversation on how NGOs can work more closely, and be at the forefront of activities, with NDMOs, national authorities, UN Agencies and Pacific organisations to strengthen our overall reach and results for Pacific communities and explore ways NGOs can better align their support and activities through PHT coordination arrangements. The intended outcome is to identify solutions to strengthen collaboration and activities between NGO’s and the PHT Clusters. Session 15: Donor panel discussion Session Time: 11:30 – 12:30
Presenter / Facilitator Suzanne Edgecombe (DFAT), Sean Torbit (MFAT), Jules Irrmann (Embassy of France), Shohei Matsuura (JICA), Jason Brendan (US Embassy) and Edward Turvill (ECHO) Facilitated by Aurelia Balpe (IFRC)
The Donor Panel Discussion provides participants at the PHT Meeting with a unique opportunity to hear from donor partners on their focus and priority areas over the next 12 months including policy, geographic focus and funding, and how the PHT can participate in upcoming planned activities. This session provides insights into current and future priorities of major donors within the Pacific. The session will facilitate a mutually beneficial consultative process to manage expectations on both sides of humanitarian aid resourcing and absorption; managing partner expectations of the provision of donor funds, and in turn managing donor expectations of the realities of implementation at national and community level. The purpose of this session is for donor partners to provide an update on their financial and technical support in the region, and reaffirm working relationships with PHT partners. Key guiding points for each presenter include:
• What do donors require and expect from the PHT? • Is the Humanitarian Response Plan useful for donors? • What are the priorities in the Pacific region and how are these priorities determined by donors? • What are the key humanitarian issues for the Pacific to be discussed at the Regional WHS consultation?
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Session 16: World Humanitarian Summit Session Time: 13:30 – 16:30
Presenter / Facilitator Sune Gudnitz (OCHA) The UN Secretary-General will convene the first-ever global humanitarian summit of this scale in Istanbul in 2016. The goal of this summit is to find new ways to tackle humanitarian needs in our fast-changing world. Currently, the global community faces many challenges such as climate change, rapid population growth, urbanization, and water shortages. At the same time, there have global economic shifts, new actors engaged in humanitarian action, and tremendous improvements in technology. Given these challenges and opportunities, we need to improve how we respond to disasters and conflicts. This three-year initiative is being managed by the UN OCHA. The summit will set a new agenda for global humanitarian action. The summit focuses on four key themes. These are humanitarian effectiveness, reducing vulnerability and managing risk, transformation through innovation, and serving the needs of people in conflict. Prior to the WHS 2016, regional consultations are being held to identify and share solutions to our most pressing humanitarian challenges. It is anticipated that the Regional Consultations for the Pacific will be held id year 2015. The purpose of this session is to articulate areas the needs and solutions to humanitarian challenges in the Pacific, as input to the World Humanitarian Summit Regional consultations to be held in the Pacific in mid-2015.
Speakers
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Speakers
Anna Krikun, ADRA Germany Anna Krikun is working for ADRA Germany as a program coordinator for the South Pacific. She came to the region in 2013 to manage the ECHO funded Cyclone Evan recovery project in Fiji and to monitor a related action in Samoa. She is based in Suva.
Anna Young, WFP Anna has worked extensively in the emergency preparedness and response field, predominately in the Asia and Pacific Regions. She worked with the Solomon Islands NDMO on the ECHO funded Emergency Logistics Preparedness Project and was involved in capacity development training in Tonga, Fiji and Samoa. She now works in WFP's Asia Regional Bureau, as the Regional Emergency Preparedness Officer, supporting country offices in the region to prepare for and respond to emergencies.
Charlie Damon, CARE International Charlie has 15 years’ experience working in the NGO sector working for Solidarités Jeunesses, Oxfam Great Britain, Oxfam Australia and CARE International. The majority of Charlie’s experience has been working on disaster preparedness and response with a particular focus on Program Management, Monitoring & Evaluation and Gender & Protection. Charlie has worked in over 10 countries and is currently based in Vanuatu working for CARE International on resilience programs focused on Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change Adaptation and Women & Girls Empowerment.
Edward Turvill, ECHO Edward Turvill is a Disaster Risk Reduction technical expert with the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (known as ECHO). He has been working with this donor institution of the European Union since 2011, first from the policy angle and now as a regional advisor covering the Asia-Pacific region.
Elisabeth McLeod, OCHA Elisabeth McLeod joined OCHA in June 2013 and is the Public Information Officer for the Regional Office of the Pacific. Prior to joining OCHA, Elisabeth worked with Australian Red Cross in Emergency Services supporting national disaster training and response. She brings over 10 years' experience as a communications professional, having worked on communication and stakeholder engagement projects for both the public and private sector.
Elizabeth (Lizzie) Christy, FAO Elizabeth Christy is an Emergency Management officer for the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) since 2007, primarily based at Rome HQ. She has been the coordinator of the Pacific Food Security Cluster since Oct 2013 on behalf of the FAO Sub-regional Office for the Pacific. She is an emergency officer/manager with 14 years' experience, having worked in Kosovo, Afghanistan, Pakistan, several countries in Africa and Indonesia.
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Gerard Ganaba, World Vision Gerard V. Ganaba is a Humanitarian & Emergency Affairs Director with World Vision Pacific & Timor Leste. He is responsible for overseeing disaster risk reduction programs as well as emergency response operations in PNG, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Timor-Leste. He has more than 19 years’ experience in humanitarian aid, community based disaster risk management, livelihood and food security; poverty reduction, and capacity building. He has held management positions working in Afghanistan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Kuwait, Mongolia and Philippines.
Jason Brenden, US Embassy Jason Brenden is the Regional Environment Officer for the Pacific, based at US Embassy Suva, Fiji. Mr. Brenden’s portfolio includes 21 countries and territories, as well as environment, climate change, science, health, and technology issues. Mr. Brenden arrived at post in August 2013 and works closely with a range of regional organizations in the Pacific. Mr. Brenden’s background in terms of education and experience, is in regional and environmental economics. He has been a Foreign Service Officer with the US State Department since 2002.
Jennifer Worthington, Oxfam Australia Jennifer Worthington has over 14 years’ experience in the development sector and is a specialist in humanitarian preparedness, response and disaster risk reduction. Jennifer has extensive experience working in Africa, Asia and the Pacific. Jennifer’s current substantive role with Oxfam Australia is the as the Pacific Humanitarian Program Coordinator and recently been on long-term secondment as the International Coordinator of the Vanuatu Humanitarian Team since January 2012.
John Titmus, NZ MCDEM John joined the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management in 1985 after a long career in the Royal New Zealand Navy. He is now the Northern Regional Coordinator, based in Auckland, with prime responsibility for supporting the four northern Civil Defence Emergency Management Groups. John until recently was the UNDAC and APHP focal point for New Zealand. John is in the forefront of delivering a new Partnership Arrangement with MFAT to strengthen DRM across Risk Reduction, Readiness, Response and Recovery in Samoa, Niue, Cook Islands, Tonga and Tokelau. John was awarded the New Zealand Special Service Medal (Asian Tsunami) in 2005 as a result of his work in Sri Lanka after the Boxing Day Tsunami.
Jules Irrmann, Embassy of France Jules Irrmann is the Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of France in Suva (also in charge of Kiribati, Nauru, Tuvalu and Tonga). He arrived in Fiji with his family in 2012. He was previously posted in Tokyo, Japan. Gratuated from Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Toulouse (France) he also studied Japanese at Institut National des Langues et Civilisations Orientales (INALCO) in Paris. A public servant, he worked in the ministry of Finance in Paris before joining French Foreign service.
Dr Julia Edwards, Pacific Conference of Churches Dr. Julia Edwards works as a researcher in climate change and relocation with the Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC). She holds a doctorate in applied meteorology from the University of Wales and has worked extensively as a lecturer and researcher in environmental management. Prior to joining PCC in 2010, she was a researcher with Heriot-Watt University, UK, specialising in climate-change mitigation and logistics. Her current climate change and relocation work focuses on past and present relocations. Julia has worked with relocated communities in Rabi Island, Fiji; Kiribati; Kioa Island, Fiji; Tuvalu; and communities currently relocating in the Carteret Islands, PNG, and Vunidogoloa and Narikoso villages in Fiji.
Speakers
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Kate Gordon, UNHCR Kate Gordon, UNHCR Liaison Officer for the Pacific is based in UNHCR’s Regional Representation office in Canberra. Kate has around 20 years experience working for UNHCR in Sri Lanka, Georgia, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Iraq, Albania, Croatia and in UNHCR HQs in Geneva. Kate works with Pacific Immigration departments on UNHCR’s core mandate. UNHCR co-leads the Pacific Humanitarian Protection Cluster (PHPC) with OHCHR in the Pacific.
Dr Kirstie Méheux, SPC Dr Kirstie Méheux is a Senior Adviser, Training and Professional Development within the Disaster Reduction Programme of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community. Kirstie provides advice and technical support to Pacific Island Countries to build the skills and knowledge of personnel across government, civil society and the private sector in various aspects of Disaster Risk Management. Kirstie has been involved in disaster management training since 2008 and has a research background in Pacific Disaster Management co-authoring several publications in this field.
Litea Biukoto, SPC Litea Biukoto is the Senior Advisor Risk Reduction for the Disaster Reduction Programme at the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC). Prior to this role, she held the position of Hazard Assessment Advisor at SPC for six years. Litea studied Marine Science at the University of the South Pacific and Neuroscience at the University of Otago.
Maha Muna, UNFPA Maha Muna is the Gender Adviser at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), regional sub-office in the Pacific, where she oversees five country VAW national prevalence studies, provides policy and programme support to Pacific Islands States and serves as humanitarian focal point. Previously, she served with UNFPA in Switzerland and Sudan, and worked with UNIFEM at the start of her UN career. She is a graduate of Columbia University, with a Masters in International Affairs. Maha lives in Suva with her husband and two children.
Mark Mitchell, Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand Mark Mitchell is the Humanitarian Programmes Coordinator at Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand where he has worked for the last three and a half years. Mark has significant experience in humanitarian logistics and has responded to humanitarian emergencies and conflicts across Africa, Europe and Asia most recently assisting Caritas Philippines as the Team Leader of the Emergency Response Support Team following Typhoon Haiyan. Whilst living in Africa he established a company in Mozambique with a local partner providing professional support to companies and NGOs.
Mark Shapiro, WFP Mark Shapiro is a member of the World Food Programme (WFP) Readiness Initiative team, a global disaster management simulation exercise capability, which seeks to increase the emergency response capacity of national and local actors, and the international humanitarian community. Mark has been with the Readiness Initiative project since 2012, designing and leading emergency management simulation activities in over 17 countries, including developing and running facilitator training courses. He has over six years’ experience in emergency preparedness and capacity development projects, including leading RI projects in the Pacific.
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Michael Arunga, OCHA Michael began working for OCHA in 2011 in Somalia, before joining the Pacific office in April 2014 as Information Management Officer. In November 2013, he was deployed to support information management following Super Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. He has over 10 years’ experience in research and international humanitarian assistance in both natural and human-induced disasters.
Nastaran Jafari, Independent Humanitarian and Development Consultant Nastaran Jafari specializes in Education in Emergencies (EiE) and Disaster Risk Reduction in Education. She has worked with UN OCHA Pacific on the development and facilitation of the 2013 and 2014 Annual PHT Meetings. Her previous roles include PHT Education Cluster Coordinator, Save the Children’s EiE Advisor for Asia Pacific and Humanitarian Officer for the Pacific at AusAID. Nastaran served on the Senior Advisory Board for the PHT 2008-2012 Performance Review and Senior Advisory Group for PHT Position Statement. Nastaran recently returned as World Vision’s EiE Specialist for Typhoon Haiyan Response and Recovery in the Philippines.
Neville Koop, Na Draki Weather Neville Koop is a meteorologist specializing in tropical weather and climate. A graduate of the Flinders University of South Australia in Adelaide, Neville has worked in Australia, Fiji, Samoa, the United States and Japan. Currently he is the Managing Director of Na Draki Weather based in Suva, Fiji.
Paolo Malatu, Vanuatu Humanitarian Team / Oxfam Australia Paolo Malatu is the Vanuatu Humanitarian Team (VHT) Coordinator. He has 4 years of experience working in DRR and emergency preparedness and response. Prior to joining Oxfam Australia, Paolo worked with the Vanuatu Red Cross/French Red Cross as Disaster Risk Reduction Officer. He is also a SPHERE trainer and has been training NDMO staff and cluster members in SPHERE in 2014.
Pip Ross, UN Women Pip Ross is the protection and gender advisor for UN Women’s Fiji Multi-Country Office. She holds a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws from the University of Tasmania, and a Master of International Studies from University of Melbourne. Previously, she has worked for the Australian Red Cross’ International Humanitarian Law program, and for the Australian Department of Defence. She has also served as an Australian Red Cross volunteer Humanitarian Observer, monitoring humanitarian standards in Australian immigration detention centres.
Rashmi Rita, OCHA Rashmi Rita has over 10 years of experience in information technology. She joined OCHA in March 2012 as Information Management Officer for the Pacific and has since worked with the PHT in the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu, Samoa and Fiji. Rashmi is a certified Geographical Information Systems Professional Asia Pacific.
Speakers
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Raijeli Nicole, Save the Children Fiji Raijeli Nicole is the Chief Executive Officer of Save the Children Fiji.
Sean Torbit, New Zealand MFAT Sean Torbit is the Development Manager in the Humanitarian and Disaster Management team in New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, with responsibility for global disaster response and humanitarian policy [Pacific disaster response].
Shohei Matsuura, JICA Shohei has over 10 years’ experience in implementing DRR-related programs and projects in Asia, Africa and South America in organizations including UNDP and JICA. In recent years, he had worked with local governments in coastal municipalities of northeast Japan that was devastated by the 2011 East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, assisting them in developing and implementing their recovery plans. Currently, he works as a JICA DRR Expert in SPC-SOPAC looking over 14 Pacific countries.
Sune Gudnitz, OCHA Sune Hjelmervik Gudnitz is Head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Regional Office for the Pacific in Fiji and has held the position since June 2013. Mr Gudnitz is a Danish national and first joined OCHA in Guinea in 2002, following assignments with the Department of Political Affairs in Timor Leste and Sierra Leone. Since then, he has worked with OCHA in Sudan, Geneva, and most recently in New York as an adviser to the Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs. Sune holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Copenhagen, and a MA in Political Science from the New School University.
Suzanne Edgecombe, Australia DFAT Suzanne Edgecombe is currently an Acting Assistant Secretary in DFAT’s Humanitarian Division, oversighting the department’s Stabilisation and Recovery Branch programs, which include stabilisation and civil-military policy and engagement, and the Australian Civilian Corps. She has extensive experience in the Australian Government’s humanitarian policy and disaster response programs, including deploying to Pakistan as a team leader for Australia’s response to the 2010 floods, as well as a short deployment to Fiji in December 2012 to assist with aspects of the response to Cyclone Evan.
Suzanne Paisley, SPC Suzanne Paisley is a DRM Officer with the ‘Building Safety and Resilience in the Pacific’ (BSRP) Project being implemented by the Disaster Reduction Programme of SPC’s Applied Geoscience & Technology Division. Suzanne liaises with Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu for the BSRP Project. She has lived and worked in the Pacific region, in Fiji, Samoa and the Solomon Islands, for most of the past 12 years and has a Masters in Disaster Management and Sustainable Development from the University of Northumbria, UK.
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Timothy Wilcox, UNISDR Timothy Wilcox is Head of UNISDR’s Sub-Regional Office for the Pacific, which covers 18 Pacific Island Countries and Territories, including Australia and NZ. He served in the Australian Public Service for 13 years, including the Australian Diplomatic Corp posted to Suva, Fiji. Serving five years in the Australian Department of Health and Ageing managing national population health programs, he was then recruited to the former AusAID. Here he spent eight years managing disaster risk management, humanitarian, regional pandemic and health programs in both the Pacific and Asia before moving to UNISDR.
Vuli Gauna, IFRC Vuli began his career with Red Cross as a volunteer youth in 1996. After numerous disaster responses, including the civil takeover in 2000, he was appointed Fiji Red Cross Society’s Disaster and Conflict Preparedness and Response Coordinator in December 2001. After 10 years in the position, Vuli moved to SPC-SOPAC for 2 years to work on the Disaster Reduction Programme with the training and capacity building team. He returned to IFRC Pacific regional office in August 2012 as Regional DM Programme Manager and took up the Disaster Management Coordinator role in August 2014.
Yuan-Kwan Chan Yuan-Kwan Chan is the Bangkok-based editor and head of office of ReliefWeb (reliefweb.int), a digital service of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. She was previously the primary English website editor at the United Nations Development Programme in New York. Prior to joining the United Nations, Yuan-Kwan was an online producer at The New York Times and CNN Interactive. She holds a Master of Science in journalism from Northwestern University, and a Bachelor of Business of Administration in marketing and music from the College of William & Mary.
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Annex 1: Participant Information Accommodation Attendees must organize their own travel and accommodation2. Meeting participants have been offered special rates at the following hotels.
Getting to and from the venue By Air Nadi International Airport is the main International Airport in Suva. It has direct flights from Apia, Auckland, Brisbane, Christchurch, Funafuti, Hong Kong, Honiara, Honolulu, Kirimati, Los Angeles, Melbourne, Nauru Island, Noumea, Port Moresby, Port Vila, Seoul-Incheon, Sydney, Tarawa, Tongatapu, Wallis Island. Nausori (Suva) Airport is the second International Airport in Fiji and is situated on the eastern side of the main Island of Viti Levu, which is 23km or a 30 minute drive from the capital, Suva. Connecting flights from Nadi to Nausori Airport generally depart twice daily (flying time approx. 30 minutes).
2 One national disaster management authority representative from each of the 14 Pacific Island countries will be funded by OCHA.
For other hotel options, please visit: http://www.fiji.travel/destinations/suva
By Land Bus services operate seven days a week between Nadi and Suva which take approximately 4½ to 5 hours. Sun Beam: http://www.sunbeamfiji.com Coral Sun: http://www.touristtransportfiji.com/coral-sun-timetable. A taxi rank is positioned in front of the Holiday Inn Suva and taxi services are relatively inexpensive, averaging $3 to $5 within CBD areas. The UN recommends Regent Taxis: 331 2100 or 331 2110. The taxi fare from Nadi to Suva is approx. FJ$200 and takes 3 hours. A cab from Nausori to Suva is $30. There is limited parking available at the Holiday Inn and surrounding streets.
Hotel Room Type Room rates p/n FJ$
Holiday Inn Suva* 501 Victoria Parade, Suva (679) 330 1600 or [email protected] *breakfast included
Superior room – single 327
Superior room – double 356
Standard room – single 240
Suva Motor Inn Mitchell St, Suva (679) 672 4274 or www.suvamotorinn.com
Studio room 145
2 bedroom apartment 224
Peninsula International Cnr. McGregor Road and Pender Street, Suva (679) 331 3711 or [email protected] www.peninsula.com.fj
Superior Deluxe rooms – single 130
Superior Deluxe rooms – double 150
Deluxe rooms – single 105
Deluxe rooms – double/twin 120
Hillcrest standard room – single 95
Hillcrest standard room – double/twin 110
Tanoa Plaza Hotel Cnr Gordon & Malcolm Streets, Suva (679) 331 2300 or [email protected] www.tanoaplaza.com
Superior room – single/double 195
Deluxe room – single/double 214
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Food Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea will be provided during the meeting. In addition to the restaurant at the Holiday Inn, there are a range of restaurants in Suva for evening meals. See http://www.fiji.travel/destinations/suva for further information. Displays Tables will be provided at the venue for participating organizations to display materials, such as printed brochures and information sheets, which they may have on emergency response. Please note that there is limited space for large display items, such as pull up banners. Internet access The venue has wi-fi internet access available from the reception desk at the following rates in Fijian dollars: $6 for 30 minutes $9 per hour $37 all day Weather In October, Suva’s weather is heading into the hot and wet season. Average temperatures vary from lows of 20-22°C to highs of 27-29°C. Despite its warm temperatures, Suva rarely has a day without rain.
Emergency Contacts Police & Ambulance 911 Fire 917 Suva Central Police Station 331 1222 Medical Services Colonial War Memorial Hospital 331 3444 Suva Private Hospital 330 3404 Downtown Boulevard Medical Centre 331 3355 / 331 3461 Nasese Medical Centre- 331 4450 / 331 9233 Other Exchange rate (as at 2 September 2014): 1 Fijian Dollar = 0.58 Australian Dollar 1 Fijian Dollar = 0.64 New Zealand Dollar 1 Fijian Dollar = 0.54 US Dollar Time Zone: FIJI GMT +12:00 hrs. Electricity: The current in Fiji is 240 volts AC 50Hz with three-pin power points – the same as in Australia and New Zealand. Telephone: The international IDD country code for Fiji is 679 and there are no area codes. Outbound international calls from Fiji use a dial out code of 00 or 05 followed by the country code and telephone number for the number being dialed. Banking: Normal banking hours are from 9:30am to 3:00pm Monday to Thursday and to 4:00pm on Friday.
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Map of Suva
Source: Google Maps 2014
pacifichumanitarian.info