SPC and SPREP aim to reduce vulnerability to hazards

SPC and SPREP to collaborate on reducing vulnerability to hazards

5 June 2012, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Suva, Fiji-

The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) has signed a letter of agreement with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) which maps out arrangements for the two regional organisations to jointly facilitate development of an integrated regional strategy for disaster risk management and climate change by 2015. This letter of agreement reinforces the memorandum of understanding signed by SPC and SPREP in September 2011.

The new integrated regional strategy for disaster risk management and climate change will replace the two separate existing regional frameworks for DRM and climate change – the Pacific Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Management Framework for Action 2005–2015; and the Pacific Islands Framework for Action on Climate Change 2006–2015 (PIFACC) - which both expire in 2015. A ‘roadmap’ outlining the process of developing this regional strategy was endorsed by representatives of Pacific Island countries and territories at a series of meetings in 2011, which included meetings of the Pacific Platform for Disaster Risk Management, the Regional Directors of Meteorological Services, SPREP Governing Council, and the SPC Committee of Representatives of Governments and Administrations.

SPC Director-General Dr Jimmie Rodgers said, ‘SPC welcomes the opportunity to strengthen our support to member countries and territories through this working partnership with SPREP. It will help consolidate our efforts to address disaster risk management and climate change, which are areas that touch all of the sectors we work in.’ He added, ‘an integrated approach is essential, recognising the varied elements that contribute to climate change and disaster risk management, and taking into account the many partners and stakeholders working in these areas.’

ENDS

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