Attachments
Highlights
WFP Representative and Country Director for the Pacific Multi-Country Office met with the Prime Minister of Tonga, Hon. Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni, and other key ministers to discuss WFP's work in the region, understand local needs, identify shared priorities, and discuss potential areas of collaboration.
WFP signed two memoranda of understanding in March, one with the Government of Fiji to support an anticipatory action pilot to enable communities to take action before disasters hit, and another with the Pacific Catastrophe Risk Insurance Company to advance disaster risk financing initiatives in the Pacific.
Operational Updates
Supply Chain
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The WFP-led Pacific Logistics Cluster conducted an updated logistics capacity assessment in Samoa. The findings provided first responders with the latest information about the logistics capacity related to humanitarian emergency preparedness and response, covering logistics infrastructure, processes and regulations, suppliers, and contacts.
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WFP also completed capacity needs mapping exercises in Samoa, which assessed the capacities of the humanitarian supply chain and logistics preparedness landscape. The exercise contributed to national strategies for disaster risk management and addresses gaps and in strengthening systems for emergency preparedness and response in the longer term. Government partners and other stakeholders from participated in the exercise.
Emergency Telecommunication Cluster (ETC)
- The WFP-led Pacific Emergency Telecommunication Custer supported the Fiji National Disaster Management Office to deliver emergency telecommunications training sessions to 18 first responders and government officials to enhance capacity strengthening on disaster preparedness. The sessions encompassed vital topics such as understanding the fundamentals of effective disaster management, improving communication skills, hands-on training on radio communications and demonstrations of various emergency telecommunications tools.
Food Security
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WFP continues to provide technical support to Fiji’s Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways in data collection, visualization and systems strengthening. In March, WFP held the first mobile Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping (mVAM) regional focal point workshop for representatives of the Fiji Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways and the National Statistics Office, with the intent of integrating the mVAM tool within national government systems. The mVAM tool will support the Government in collecting relevant food security and nutrition data, as well as monitor critical indicators to inform policy making and measure the achievements throughout its Strategic Development Plan.
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WFP provided technical support to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in Samoa on the data collection phase of the agricultural production survey, using the Kobo toolbox, a software used to collect, analyse, and manage data. The survey will provide a wealth of information for stakeholders in Samoa to make evidence-based decisions in the agriculture sector.
Social Protection and Climate
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WFP signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Fiji. WFP will support the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection in implementing an Anticipatory Action pilot programme that aims to proactively shield communities from the devastating impacts of tropical cyclones. This first-of-its-kind project in the Pacific will provide pre-emptive cash transfers to targeted social welfare beneficiaries to cushion the shocks of tropical cyclones on food security and livelihoods. It is also designed to prevent vulnerable groups, especially persons with disabilities, female-headed households, children, and the elderly, from being impacted further by climate shocks and vulnerabilities. Upon activation of the pre-agreed triggers, WFP will support a projected 15,000 vulnerable and at-risk households with anticipatory cash transfers in targeted areas.
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WFP has signed an MoU with the Pacific Catastrophe Risk Insurance Company (PCRIC) marking a major advancement in disaster risk financing initiatives for the Pacific region. PCRIC and WFP will collaborate on initiatives in disaster risk financing that enhance Pacific Island countries’ resilience against loss and damage resulting from cyclones, floods and droughts, with a particular focus on protecting vulnerable and at-risk populations.