Pacific Islanders prepare to reshape aid at the World Humanitarian Summit

Suva, 16 May 2016

Almost 200 humanitarian partners from across the Pacific are heading to Istanbul for next week’s first ever World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) where the region’s experiences in responding to disasters and climate change will be high on the agenda.

A total of 15 Pacific governments have signalled their commitment to send high level delegations to Turkey including Heads of Government from Fiji, Tuvalu, the Cook Islands, Nauru and Vanuatu.

“With 6000 people coming together, the World Humanitarian Summit is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the Pacific to help re-shape the humanitarian system. It is encouraging to see such a high level of regional representation in Istanbul and this reflects the importance of these issues to Pacific islanders and their governments,” Sune Gudnitz, Head of the Pacific UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said.

Participants in Istanbul will take clear messages from last year’s regional consultation in Auckland about the importance of placing affected people at the centre of humanitarian action and the need for the humanitarian system to be realigned to build on local capacities.

“The Pacific is leading the way in forging new approaches to disaster preparedness and response, maximizing local capacities and prioritizing long-term resilience building. The Pacific has vast first-hand experience to share in terms of applying these approaches to the all-too-frequent disasters which impact on the region and I know these insights will be well received in this global forum,” Mr Gudnitz said.

Pacific participants in Istanbul will be involved in a range of roundtables, special sessions and side events. The Pacific Regional Steering Group is hosting a side event on ‘Collaborating for Resilience’ which will showcase innovative ways the region is adopting a localised approach to build community resilience in the face of natural disasters and climate change. The Pacific will also feature alongside other affected countries in another side event organized by the Nansen Initiative on managing the humanitarian consequences of climate change and disaster-induced displacement.

“Recent disasters such as Cyclone Winston have been a stark reminder of the kind of intense weather events we are likely to see more of as a result of climate change. Now is the time for the region to prepare for the humanitarian impacts of these changes, including the risk of climate change-induced displacement,” Mr Gudnitz said.

Participants attending the World Humanitarian Summit from the Pacific come from a range of backgrounds including affected communities, civil society, national and international non-government organisations, academia, private sector organisations, affected communities, UN agencies and government disaster response units.

For more information about the World Humanitarian Summit visit: http://www.worldhumanitariansummit.org/

Media enquiries:
Danielle Parry, Public Information Officer, UNOCHA Regional Office Pacific (ROP), Suva. Ms Parry will be travelling with the delegation to Istanbul. Please contact her for interviews with Pacific participants at the Summit, access to photographs, stories and other materials.
Email: parryd@un.org Mobile: +679 777 1433
Skype: danielle.renee.parry