Outcome FIJ_D_4.1

By 2027, people, communities and institutions are more empowered and resilient to face diverse shocks and disasters, especially related to climate change, and ecosystems and biodiversity are better protected, managed and restored. [PCF Strategic Priority 4: Planet]

This outcome is on track. In the humanitarian and disaster risk reduction sector in the Pacific, institutions are restructuring their strategies to prioritize gender equality, protection, and inclusion to build resilience to disasters. This has involved policy reforms, fostering coordination and collaboration among stakeholders, engaging communities, building capacities, sharing knowledge, utilizing data, and advocating for change. These efforts have enabled stakeholders across the Pacific to address the multifaceted challenges of disaster risk reduction (DRR) and work towards sustainable resilience. Further to institutional strengthening, there has been a concerted effort in empowering women and girls and building supportive enabling environments through community engagement and other avenues. These efforts have addressed the specific vulnerabilities experienced by women and girls during crises. Indeed, the active involvement of women, girls, and diverse stakeholders in decision-making and implementation processes, institutions and individuals are paving the way for resilient and sustainable futures for Pacific communities. This shift towards gender equality and social inclusion not only improves disaster management practices but also fosters long-term sustainability in the Pacific region. These endeavors signify an important change towards more inclusive, gender-responsive, community-driven, and evidence-based approaches to disaster and climate resilience. The following are noteworthy: UN Women's leadership of the Pacific Humanitarian Protection Cluster (PHPC) has improved coordination and communication among cluster members. This leadership role has facilitated the mainstreaming of gender, social inclusion, and protection across various humanitarian clusters. The capacity of regional, national, and UN humanitarian organizations to integrate gender, social inclusion, and protection into their actions continue to grow through UN Women’s support. By working with Protection Clusters, Technical Working Groups, governments and civil society organizations, UN Women facilitates collaboration and knowledge-sharing to ensure that gender, social inclusion, and protection considerations are integrated into humanitarian and disaster risk reduction efforts. Capacity building on the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) for partners has fostered ethical responsibilities and the importance of maintaining community trust and well-being during crisis situations. The integration of gender and social inclusion across postgraduate courses at the University of the South Pacific demonstrates a proactive approach to educating future professionals in disaster management, thereby ensuring a cadre of knowledgeable and skilled individuals equipped to address complex challenges. More women are taking on leadership roles and effectively engaging in preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. This signifies a shift towards recognizing the importance of gender equality and inclusion in disaster management. At rural community level, organisations have adopted gender-responsive approaches by prioritizing the empowerment of women. This approach acknowledges historical exclusion and aims to address gender disparities by providing tailored training programs that cater to the specific needs and roles of women. Specific initiatives, such as refresher training for village-based Community Disaster and Climate Change Committees (CDCCCs) in Vanuatu, comprehensive training in food security and livelihoods in the Solomon Islands, and capacity-building workshops in several countries, target women and girls, equipping them with knowledge, skills, and tools to actively contribute to disaster resilience efforts. Furthermore, programs such as the menstrual health initiative by World Vision Vanuatu and the climate and disaster-resilient livelihood program by VANWODS in Vanuatu address specific needs of women and girls in disaster-prone areas. Furthermore, in the Solomon Islands, collaborations with the National Protection Committee is seeing the integration of GBV considerations into DRR efforts to mitigate the risks of violence faced by women and girls during disasters and contribute to building more resilient communities. By providing knowledge, skills, and resources tailored to their needs, these initiatives enhance the ability of women and girls to maintain health, dignity, and livelihoods during and after disasters. The empowerment of local leaders and stakeholders, particularly women indigenous leaders, has fostered inclusivity, ownership and sustainability of resilience-building activities. Initiatives like the 'Women-Weather-Watch' programme in Fiji are empowering women to take on inclusive and innovative leadership roles in disaster and climate resilience efforts. An advocacy video featuring female negotiators from Fiji, Kiribati, and Vanuatu highlights the importance of integrating Pacific women's priorities into post-COP27 actions. This video serves as a catalyst for gender-responsive DRR and climate resilience strategies by raising awareness among decision-makers and practitioners. The active participation and leadership of three key female national leaders from Fiji, Kiribati, and Niue in the discussions and events at COP28 gave prominence to their presence and engagement on the importance of gender perspectives in climate change discourse and the need for inclusive approaches to climate action. By speaking at different pavilions and side events, these female leaders contributed to raising awareness about gender-responsive climate financing, the changing landscape of climate financing in the Asia-Pacific region, and the intersection of gender and climate change. Their involvement also underscores the commitment of their respective countries and the Pacific region as a whole to addressing gender inequalities and promoting women's empowerment in climate change initiatives. Overall, their presence at COP28 signifies a significant step towards integrating gender considerations into global climate policy and action. The involvement of women-led organizations in disaster preparedness and resilience-building activities signifies a shift towards greater community engagement and participation. By actively involving local women in decision-making and capacity-building efforts, these initiatives are more likely to be contextually relevant and sustainable. Furthermore, the involvement of women groups, organisations for persons with disabilities and persons with diverse SOGIESC in policy development and review processes in Fiji reflects a commitment to inclusive decision-making and governance, ensuring that the perspectives and needs of marginalized groups are considered. Vulnerability assessments and analyses, such as the one conducted for older persons in Fiji and Vanuatu, have contributed to a deeper understanding of vulnerabilities and areas for improvement in disaster response and preparedness. The publication of Protection and Cluster-specific Tip Sheets by the PHPC serves as a valuable resource for advocacy and awareness-raising. These tip sheets provide practical guidance for incorporating protection into various response activities, including Cash and Voucher Assistance and Evacuation Centre Management. Moreover, initiatives like the development of circular economy models by ADRA in Fiji and the provision of solar home systems by VANWODS in Vanuatu showcase innovative approaches to building resilience. While addressing immediate needs these initiatives also contribute to long-term sustainability and adaptation to climate change.

By 2027, people, communities and institutions are more empowered and resilient to face diverse shocks and disasters, especially related to climate change, and ecosystems and biodiversity are better protected, managed and restored. [PCF Strategic Priority 4: Planet]

WRD Pacific communities, institutions, and individuals have become more resilient and empowered to face diverse shocks and disasters, particularly those related to climate change, with significant strides made in protecting, managing, and restoring ecosystems and biodiversity. This transformation reflects a regional shift towards inclusive governance, where gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI) are systematically integrated into disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate resilience efforts. Through strengthened policies, action plans, and institutional capacities, state and non-state actors have embraced approaches that address the unique vulnerabilities and needs of women, girls, and marginalised groups, building more equitable and sustainable systems. Across the Pacific, governments and organisations have demonstrated a commitment to inclusive resilience. In Fiji, the National Disaster Risk Reduction Policy (NDRRP) and the National Humanitarian Policy (NHP) now incorporate GEDSI indicators and emphasise the collection and use of sex, age, and disability-disaggregated data (SADDD). These updates ensure disaster recovery strategies effectively address the needs of vulnerable groups. Kiribati’s collaboration with the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) led to the creation of a Climate-Smart and Inclusive CBDRR Manual, empowering women and girls to lead disaster preparedness activities and strengthening community resilience. In the Solomon Islands, Provincial Protection Committees in Choiseul and Western Provinces have implemented gender-responsive annual workplans with dedicated budgets, addressing the needs of women and marginalised groups. Similarly, in Vanuatu, gender-responsive budgeting assessments and disaster-specific plans such as Tsunami and Volcano Response Plans have fostered women’s active participation in disaster preparedness. UN Women’s Women’s Resilience to Disasters (WRD) Programme has played a pivotal role in driving these changes by providing targeted capacity-building support and fostering institutional resilience. In Fiji, training on gender assessments and disability sensitisation equipped government staff to integrate gender-responsive approaches into resource allocation and disaster planning. In Vanuatu, Provincial National Disaster Management Offices (NDMOs) received training to enhance gender-sensitive disaster response reporting, while in the Solomon Islands, GBV training and support for Provincial Protection Committees resulted in the development of inclusive workplans aligned with provincial disaster management priorities. These efforts have also empowered 66 women’s organisations across the region, including femLINKpacific, AMAK, and VANWODS, to improve service delivery to women and marginalised communities. The programme has directly impacted 6,412 women, including 158 women with disabilities and 84 LGBTQI+ individuals, by enabling access to critical information, goods, resources, and services. In Fiji, 2,837 women, 57 women living with disabilities, and 81 individuals identifying as LGBTQI+, benefited from initiatives such as parametric microinsurance, disaster preparedness awareness sessions, and training on climate-smart agriculture. In the Solomon Islands,1,900 women and 37 women living with disabilities accessed resources like gardening tools, soil improvement training, and inclusive disaster preparedness strategies through Provincial Protection Committees. In Vanuatu,1,141 women, 47 women living with disabilities, and one LGBTQI+ individual engaged in disaster risk reduction training, financial literacy programs, and solar-powered business solutions to sustain their livelihoods during crises. In Kiribati,321 women and eight women living with disabilities participated in community-based DRR training and accessed knowledge products to enhance disaster preparedness. Regionally, 213 women, including nine with disabilities, gained insights through convenings and capacity-building workshops promoting gender-responsive DRR policies. To sustain progress and momentum, WRD established and maintained 34 dialogues, mechanisms, and platforms that empower women leaders and marginalised groups to influence decision-making. The Women’s Resilience to Disasters Knowledge Hub provided resources to climate change and DRR practitioners, while the Community of Practice in Vanuatu fostered knowledge-sharing among women leaders. Women’s participation in global forums, including COP29 and the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR), amplifies their agency and leadership in shaping inclusive policies that address the unique vulnerabilities of women, girls, and marginalised groups in the Pacific region. At the national level, initiatives like the Community Disaster and Climate Change Committees (CDCCCs) in Vanuatu and Protection Committees in the Solomon Islands institutionalised gender equality within disaster preparedness systems. The WRD Programme has also enhanced the resilience of 221 women entrepreneurs in Fiji and Vanuatu. In Fiji, 161 women adopted disaster-resilient business practices, such as food preservation and screen printing, while in Vanuatu, 60 entrepreneurs accessed solar-powered appliances to sustain operations during disasters. Notably, the introduction of parametric microinsurance in Fiji further bolstered financial security, benefiting 405 women by providing rapid payouts after extreme weather events. These combined efforts have empowered Pacific communities, institutions, and individuals to better face disasters and climate-related challenges. By strengthening capacities, promoting inclusivity, and fostering collaboration, the region is advancing toward more resilient, equitable, and sustainable futures.