The Pacific region features among the most disaster prone regions in the world in terms of recurrence, severity and scope of hazards, with high exposure to cyclones, earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, tidal surges, landslides, flash floods, drought, forest fires, volcano eruptions, as well as epidemics. This is compounded by environmental degradation and climate change.

Lack of economic diversity, remoteness from major trade and commercial sectors and weak governance frameworks are factors which characterize many of the Pacific island nations and exacerbate

Programme summary:

Red Cross National Societies are community-based organizations. Support to improving the functioning of local Red Cross institutions, programmes and the resulting services, which then have an impact on vulnerable people, is at the heart of IFRC regional office's mandate.

The programme is:

- providing support to Red Cross National Societies in Australia, the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands (currently in formation), Micronesia, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea,

The Pacific region covers a vast geographical area comprising thousands of islands and atolls. The majority of Pacific island countries contend with the challenges of smallness and geographic isolation. The Pacific island countries are the most heavily aid-assisted part of the world on a per capita basis. The high rates of migration in the region are primarily a response to real and perceived inequalities in socio-economic opportunities.

A variety of hazards including cyclones, floods, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis and landslides - constitute

Presenter: Rob Sharp

Speaker: Chief Superintendent John Maru from PNG's Central Province

Listen: Windows Media