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Technical report

This Regional Stocktake highlights arrangements for supporting hazard and climate change risk management leading to disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) measures in Pacific island countries. Specifically the report identifies country and regional needs for supporting risk reduction programs, the primary players who are supporting such programs, gaps in delivering support and possible synergies, and comparative advantages among agencies active in this activity

The World Bank policy note, “Not If, But When,” shows the Pacific island countries to be among the world’s most vulnerable to natural disasters. Since 1950, natural disasters have directly affected more than 3.4 million people and led to more than 1,700 reported deaths in the region (excluding Papua New Guinea). In the 1990s alone, reported natural disasters cost the Pacific Islands Region US$2.8 billion (in real 2004 value). The traditional approach of “wait and mitigate” is a far worse strategy than proactively managing risks.

The World Bank policy note “Not If, But When” shows the Pacific island countries to be among the world’s most vulnerable to natural disasters. Since 1950, natural disasters have directly affected more than 3.4 million people and led to more than 1,700 reported deaths in the Pacific Islands Region (excluding Papua New Guinea). In the 1990s alone, reported natural disasters cost the Region US$2.8 billion (in real 2004 value). The traditional approach of ”wait and mitigate” is a far worse strategy than proactively managing risks.