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Natural hazards continue to cause significant loss of life in Asia and the Pacific, and existing trends suggest that growth in direct physical losses is outpacing regional expansion in gross domestic product. Behind each human and physical loss, there are additional indirect impacts and secondary consequences. These impacts can take many forms, including reduced output, disruptions to supply chains, lost schooling, and widening income and gender inequalities

Th e Asian Development Bank (ADB) has piloted fragility assessments in selected urban settlements in the Pacifi c using a community-based approach and focusing on the impact of fragility on the delivery of basic services. Th e fragility assessment of South Tarawa in Kiribati explores patterns of fragility related to urban development including delivery of critical urban services with focus on water and sanitation services. Bairiki Village, an urban settlement in South Tarawa, was a case study for the assessment.

Between 4 February and 8 March 2005, the Cook Islands experienced five damaging cyclones within a period of five weeks, four of which were assigned a severity rating of Category 51 and caused damage to homes and essential public infrastructure. The Government and its agencies provided early warning information dissemination, evacuation and emergency relief to the affected population with the support of international and regional relief agencies. Following the cyclones, the Government assessed the physical damage but it lacked all of the necessary capacity and resources to finance the immediate recovery and reinstatement of basic services.

The Pacific islands region faces increasing environmental and socioeconomic pressures exacerbated by global climate change and climate variability.1 Adaptation to climate change and variability (CCV) is ultimately an issue of sustainable development. Even without climate change, Pacific island countries are already severely affected by climate variability and extremes, and they remain extremely vulnerable to future changes in the regional climate that could increase the risks. Countries in the Pacific have clearly recognized the need to (i) reduce their vulnerability to these increasing risks through adaptation, and (ii) strengthen their human and institutional capacities to assess, plan, and respond to these challenges.

The Pacific Islands region faces increasing environmental and socioeconomic pressures exacerbated by global climate change and climate variability.1 Adaptation to climate change and variability (CCV) is ultimately an issue of sustainable development. Even without climate change, Pacific island countries are already severely affected by climate variability and extremes, and they remain extremely vulnerable to future changes in the regional climate that could increase the risks. Countries in the Pacific have clearly recognized the need to (i) reduce their vulnerability to these increasing risks through adaptation,2 and (ii) strengthen their human and institutional capacities to assess, plan, and respond to these challenges.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC) joined forces to organize a high-level regional consultation for the Pacific water sector in preparation for the 3rd World Water Forum that will take place from 16 to 23 March 2003 in Kyoto, Japan.