27 February 2025
A €3 million grant agreement will strengthen disaster preparedness across 15 countries by establishing a network of humanitarian supply warehouses for rapid emergency response.
This two-year funding from the Government of Germany to the Pacific Community (SPC) will specifically support the Pacific Humanitarian Warehousing Program (PHWP). PHWP will work with Government counterparts in the respective National Disaster Risk Management Offices to enhance their ability to respond rapidly to disasters by supporting the establishment and management of humanitarian supply warehouses pre-positioned with supplies across Pacific Island Countries and Timor-Leste.
"This partnership with Germany represents a significant step forward in building Pacific-led humanitarian response capabilities," said Dr. Paula Vivili, SPC's Deputy Director General, Science and Capability.
"The funding will help ensure our Pacific nations can respond swiftly and independently in the critical first 48 hours following a disaster."
"The Pacific region faces unique challenges from climate-related disasters, and rapid response in the crucial first 48 hours can make all the difference. This €3 million investment in the PHWP represents Germany's confidence in regional cooperation and Pacific-led solutions,” said German Ambassador to Fiji and Special Envoy for the Pacific Islands Region, Dr. Andreas Prothmann.
He added, “By working alongside 15 Pacific nations to establish humanitarian warehouses, we are supporting a robust network that will enhance disaster preparedness across the entire region. This partnership with the Pacific Community exemplifies how international collaboration can strengthen local resilience.”
The German-grant will support two key interventions:
- Establishing effective national and regional planning processes through an integrated approach aligning with key policy frameworks including a dedicated Program Management Office
- Enhancing program effectiveness and strategic direction through country consultations to identify priority activities to inform Country Implementation Plans.
The programme will co-design interventions alongside Pacific nations, including Cook Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.
"With the Pacific region increasingly impacted by climate-related disasters, this investment in strengthening preparedness and local response capability is crucial," added Dr. Vivili. "We thank the German Government for their commitment to supporting Pacific resilience."
The funding complements existing support from other development partners, including Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, demonstrating strong international backing for Pacific-led disaster preparedness initiatives.
Media contacts:
Ms Erica Lee, Communications Adviser, Pacific Humanitarian Warehousing Program, Pacific Communtiy's Geoscience, Energy and Maritime Division | erical
spc.int (erical[at]spc[dot]int) or +679 9214638
About the Pacific Community (SPC): The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, supporting development since 1947. It is an international development organisation owned and governed by its 27 country and territory members. www.spc.int
The Pacific Humanitarian Warehousing Program (PHWP), Pacific-led initiative implemented by SPC, brings together multiple partners across 15 participating countries to strengthen regional disaster preparedness and resilience.
The Program's core mission is to enhance each country's ability to effectively manage humanitarian emergency response supplies (HERS), ensuring critical resources can be mobilised within 48 hours of a disaster or emergency. This will be achieved through improved procurement, storage, and distribution systems.