The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM) recently organized a comprehensive training program on climate change assessment in Honiara. The training, conducted by the Climate Change Division, took place over a period of seven days in the first quarter of 2023. It aimed to equip the Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP), Disaster READY Partners, and key stakeholders with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively utilize the Solomon Islands Integrated Vulnerability Assessment (SIIVA) tool.
The SIIVA training focused on empowering AHP Disaster READY Partners and their teams to collect accurate data and information using the Integrated Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment (SIIVA) Tool. This data will aid the Climate Change Division in assessing climate vulnerability when working with communities in Solomon Islands. By employing the SIIVA tool, Disaster READY Partners will be able to identify and understand the climate vulnerability faced by communities across Solomon Islands. This includes assessing their exposure to hazards and dangers, sensitivity to such events, and their adaptive capacities.
The utilization of the SIIVA tool will enhance climate resilience, disaster preparedness, and management, enabling informed decision-making by communities and the government to effectively respond to pressing climate change issues. Additionally, the SIIVA Tool will assist Disaster READY Project officers in identifying and addressing the current challenges faced by local communities in relation to climate change. This will aid AHP Disaster READY project officers and community development officers in delivering targeted projects and initiatives within their respective project sites and communities.
Working in coordination and collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management, and Meteorology (MECDM), AHP Disaster READY Partners will prioritize mitigating the impacts of climate change. They will implement preparedness and resilience activities in close collaboration with stakeholders. Participating organizations in the SIIVA tool Training include Save the Children Solomon Islands, Oxfam Solomon Islands, World Vision Solomon Islands, Church Agency Network Disaster Operations (CAN DO), ADRA (Adventist Development Relief Agency), CARITAS & ACOM, Live and Learn Solomon Islands, Plan International Solomon Islands, and People with Disabilities Solomon Islands (PWDSI).
Disaster READY is a multi-country program tailored to the specific contexts of Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Papua New Guinea (PNG), and Timor-Leste. It aims to assist communities in these Pacific Island and Timor-Leste regions in preventing, preparing for, and building resilience to disasters and climate change. Disaster READY promotes localization by building capacity, fostering local leadership in humanitarian activities, and facilitating the evolving roles and responsibilities of humanitarian actors.
“Disaster READY is implemented by Save the Children, Oxfam, Plan International, World Vision, Live & Learn, and CANDO. The program receives funding and support from the Australian Government.”
Source: Save the Children
*This news was first broadcasted by Tavuli News in April 2023
