Pacific

More disaster insurance being developed for Pacific countries

16:01 pm on 19 March 2018

Getting disaster response funds to where people need them and in a timely manner is often a challenge in the Pacific.

A dedicated Pacific insurance company has been set up to do just that.

The Pacific Catastrophe Risk Insurance Company is a World Bank led initiative, with financial support from Japan, Germany, the UK and the US.

The Cook Islands-based company recently paid-out US$3.5-million to help Tonga with rapid response for Cyclone Gita.

The company's chief executive David Traill says they're aiming to extend their offering to a wider Pacific base and are looking beyond the current cover offered for climate and seismic events.

He told Dominic Godfrey that through the support of donor nations, they pool risk across Pacific nations allowing for more regional resiliance and autonomy.

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Damage in Tonga from Cyclone Gita Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller