Community Risk Programme for Niue
The Pacific Communities is recognised as one of the most threatened regions in the world, threatened by natural hazards that vary seasonally from country to country with devastating impacts economically, environmentally and socially regardless. To preserve the pacific communities and ensure sustainability of their livelihoods, it makes sense that national strategies on risk and hazard management be implemented that is proactive and integrated, replacing the current ad hoc approach to disaster mitigation in the Pacific. The aim of this programme is precisely that - to improve hazard assessment and risk management practices to build safer communities in the Pacific.
Past Interventions
In September 2000 Niue was host to the 9th Pacific Regional Disaster Management Meeting and since that time SOPAC has provided both training support and resources to the NDMO to assist the disaster management capacity building efforts.
In September 2001 Niue also hosted a joint visit by SOPAC and the US Army of the South West Pacific for the conducting of a Disaster Preparedness Mitigation Assessment. The results of this assessment have now been compiled and will assist in reducing the levels of community vulnerability to a number of identified hazards and risks.
Current Issues for Niue
The critical issues faced by Niue as mentioned in the various National Assessment reports, which relate to the Community Risks Programme and is interrelated with the other programmes of SOPAC are:
- The Increase in severity of tropical storms and cyclones which causes coastal erosion; and associated damages to the environment and the infrastructure of Niue;
- Lack of policies or national strategies to mitigate natural disasters and hazards.
- Lack of protection of the Niue infrastructure, resources such as agriculture, water and forestry and communities from the devastating impacts of these hazards.
- Lack of community awareness on risks and hazards mitigation.
- Insufficient capacity in terms of national strategies for strengthening the communities? resilience to Disasters and mitigating the effects of Hazards. Current responses are reactive as opposed to proactive.
Programme Response
The Community Risk Programme is designed to fill the gap that exists in the development of Niues national strategies to hazards and risk management practices in order to build safer communities and strengthen their resilience to such. This forward-looking programme also provides support to Niue nationals to build their capacity in the area of risk management. Current Interventions include:
- The provision of support where appropriate for Niue representation at international training programmes, workshops and conferences
- The provision of high level advocacy to promote the mainstreaming of risk management through the application of CHARM
- The conducting of CHARM national training courses and workshops
- The provision of post disaster technical or institutional support following the impact of disasters.
- The environmental vulnerability index ? a tool that assesses the vulnerability of the countries of the world and to assist national stakeholders in decision-making and to influence policy to reduce vulnerabilities of Pacific Communities.
Additional support activities that are included in the Community Risk Programme include a review of the disaster management planning arrangements, the development of improved public awareness programmes and a national Public safety and Risk Management stakeholder workshop. In partnership with Emergency Management Australia an assessment will also be made of the need for improved disaster communication and coordination equipment and practices for the Pacific Member Countries of SOPAC.
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