Marshall Islands
Disasters
An international initiative to improve early warning systems against extreme weather and support climate change adaptation is gaining momentum to protect more people in more places. Financing has been extended to cover the Caribbean and West African regions.
MAJURO, June 6, 2018 – The World Bank and the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands this week launched two climate change related projects that will increase investments in renewable energy, promote energy efficiency, and enhance the country’s resilience to the impacts of climate change.
A team from the Pacific Community (SPC), is deploying oceanographic instruments along the lagoon and ocean shoreline in numerous locations throughout Majuro atoll. The instruments will record wave data in the area over the next 12 months to better prepare the atoll for the impacts of climate change.
SUMMARY
HIV and tuberculosis (TB) are the two most deadly infectious diseases in the world. Globally in 2016, TB took the lives of more than 1.7 million people, while 1 million died from HIV-related illnesses. TB is also the leading cause of death for people living with HIV, with about one-third of HIV-related deaths occurring as a result of the co-infection.
The Regional Food Security Atlas of the Pacific is a joint publication by the Pacific Community (SPC) and the World Food Programme(WFP).
The 2018 Atlas provides a spatial overview of the core issues that affect food security across the Pacific Island Countries (PICs). Divided into nine topical sections, the Atlas provides the reader with information and knowledge on the causes and outcomes of food security and nutrition in the region.
Volcanic haze produced by Kilauea volcano in Hawaii is expected to Continue spreading southwestward toward Micronesia over the next few Days. Recent NOAA Hysplit model trajectories indicate regional trade Winds will bring haze to the region. Central pacific wind patterns Are expected to change in a few days and will redirect haze farther To the north.
OVERVIEW
By Giff Johnson
Majuro - The Kwajalein Atoll Council is the first local government in the Marshall Islands to address growing concerns about the impact of climate change by adopting a resolution to focus attention and action on the looming threats, including plans to spend $US120,000 annually for developing and teaching a curriculum on the issue.
Read more on Radio New Zealand Internationa.
The following syndrome has been flagged:
• Acute Fever and Rash: Federated States of Micronesia, French Polynesia, Samoa, Tonga
• Diarrhoea: Cook Islands
• Dengue-like illness: Kiribati
Other Updates:
Dengue:
• Kiribati reports an increase in dengue-like illness cases. Since 21 March 2018, 95 samples have been tested, of these 22 tested NS1 +ve using Dengue duo RDT kit. There have been 3 hospitalised cases, no deaths have been reported. Samples have been sent to reference laboratory for confirmation. Source: Kiribati MHMS
By Devan Kreisberg, Naraya Carrasco, Denis Jordy, and Alessio Giardino
If we’ve learned anything from our modern era, it’s that the smallest changes can be extremely powerful. From DNA molecules to microprocessors, “small” can have a big impact.
04/05/2018 - by Roop Singh, Climate Centre, New York
US- and Netherlands-based scientists have used the latest computer technology to estimate the time frame in which the world’s low-lying atolls – mostly in the Indian and Pacific Oceans – might become uninhabitable with saltwater intrusion from rising sea-levels and bigger waves contaminating already-limited fresh water.
Agreements on climate change and illegal fishing were among a slew of resolutions signed by leaders last week at the 23rd Micronesian Islands Forum in Saipan.
Read more on Radio New Zealand International
INTRODUCTION
Participants from three small North Pacific island countries: Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands and Palau, joined development partners last week (23-27 April 2018) to share experiences from the 2015-2016 severe El Niño drought and explore ways to work with communities to secure food and water resources ahead of the next drought.
Objective: To mitigate risks to the food security and nutrition of vulnerable households created by El Niñoinduced effects, particularly droughts.
By Hanna Butler / IFRC
The 191st pin on the Red Cross Red Crescent world map is set to be for the Marshall Islands Red Cross, which is on track to becoming the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ (IFRC) newest National Society, after the first visit from the Secretary General of the IFRC. Elhadj As Sy visited the islands from 15 to 21 March 2018.
Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, the Republic of the Marshall Islands is home to 50,000 people, across 29 coral atolls and more than 1,150 islands and islets.
AT A GLANCE
Region East Asia and Pacific
Risks Reversal of development gains post-disaster; long term economic and fiscal impacts
Area of Engagement Deepening financial protection
Following a successful pilot program, Pacific Island Countries established a sovereign catastrophe risk insurance company for the region, increasing resilience and access to short-term funds needed to respond to disasters.
HIGH VULNERABILITY, LIMITED BUDGETS
Introduction
Disaster events have lasting impacts on people, communities, and socioeconomic development. Countries in the Pacific are among the most exposed, globally, to natural disasters, including floods, droughts, cyclones, and earthquakes. The effects of climate change threaten to increase the severity and frequency of hazard events in the Pacific region, emphasizing the need for Pacific island countries to protect themselves against corresponding social and economic consequences.
The following syndromes have been flagged:
· Acute Fever and Rash: Fiji, Northern Marianna Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu
Other Updates:
Meningococcal disease:
· Outbreak of meningococcal disease group C is ongoing in Fiji. The Fiji MHMS will continue to post updates on PacNet. The last update was posted on 6 April 2018 For details of previous updates please refer to: MHMS media release
Dengue:
· There are ongoing dengue serotype-2 outbreaks in Fiji, Vanuatu. The weekly number of cases (dengue serotype-2) reported is decreasing in Tonga and Samoa
