A series of projects to strengthen resilience to disasters and climate change have been launched this week.
Photo: NZDF
The Pacific Resilience Programme, or PREP, was the climax of a 3-day workshop where regional participants received training to support its implementation.
The project covers work around early warning tools, risk reduction investment and financial planning for disasters.
The programme is a collaboration between Tonga, Samoa, Marshall Islands, Vanuatu, the Pacific Community, the Pacific Islands Forum and the World Bank.
The SPC Director-General Colin Tukuitonga said as the region's principal scientific organisation, the SPC understands how valuable it is to share knowledge and tools to better manage disasters and reduce their impact.
PREP has begun work on improved early warning systems in Tonga and Samoa and is looking at identifying how best to retrofit schools to make them more resilient and for use as evacuation centres.