53208 Reducing the Risk of Disasters and Climate Variability in the Pacific Islands SOLOMON ISLANDS COuNtry ASSeSSMeNt GFDRR Global FaCIlITY FoR DISaSTER REDUCTIoN aND RECoVERY Acronyms and Abbreviations AusAID Australian Agency for International Development CCA Climate change adaptation DM Disaster management DrM Disaster risk management Drr Disaster risk reduction eu European Union GeFPAS Global Environment Facility Pacific Alliance for Sustainability GIS Geographic Information System MMe Ministry of Mines and Energy MeCM Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Meteorology NACCC National Advisory Committee on Climate Change NAP National Action Plan (for DRM) NAPA National Adaptation Plan of Action (for CCA) NDC National Disaster Council NDMO National Disaster Management Office NGO Nongovernmental organization NZAID New Zealand Agency for International Development PICCAP Pacific Islands Climate Change Assistance Program rAMSI Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands SIACC Solomon Islands Alliance on Climate Change SOPAC Secretariat of the Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission uNDP United Nations Development Program uNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................ 4 Country Context .................................................................................................... 6 Key Country Findings ......................................................................................... 8 Detailed Country Assessment ........................................................................ 11 Knowledge, data, tools.................................................................................... 11 Vulnerability and risk assessments ............................................................... 12 Mainstreaming into plans, policy, legislation, and regulations................ 14 Monitoring and evaluation .............................................................................. 15 Awareness raising and capacity building.................................................... 15 Governance and decisionmaking ................................................................. 15 Coordination among government agencies ............................................... 17 Coordination among donors and key stakeholders .................................. 18 Planning and budgetary processes.............................................................. 18 Implementation of actual risk-reducing measures..................................... 19 Opportunities for Investment ......................................................................... 20 Annex A. Proposals of Support to Solomon Islands .......................... 23 Annex B. Project team and People Consulted ...................................... 29 references and Select Bibliography ........................................................... 30 4 Reducing the Risk of Disasters and Climate Variability in the Pacific Islands Introduction T he World Bank policy note "Not If, But When" activities. Instead, it refers to other reports that have shows the Pacific island countries to be among covered this and complements these with suggestions the world's most vulnerable to natural disasters. for taking the necessary steps. Since 1950, natural disasters have directly affected more than 3.4 million people and led to more than The goal of the report is to deepen the understand- 1,700 reported deaths in the region (excluding Papua ing in the gaps, opportunities, and needs at the na- New Guinea). In the 1990s alone, reported natural di- tional level toward stronger operational disaster and sasters cost the Pacific Islands Region US$2.8 billion climate risk management in the Pacific islands and (in real 2004 value). The traditional approach of "wait to link closely to other ongoing and future efforts by and mitigate" is a far worse strategy than proactively other donors and stakeholders (such as SOPAC re- managing risks. The Hyogo Framework for Action gional initiatives following the Madang Framework (HFA) 2005-2015 lists the following 5 key priority and the National Action Plans) to ensure synergy and areas for action: avoid duplication. The assessment focuses on practi- cal, proactive measures that the Solomon Islands can (1) Ensure risk reduction is a national and local pri- take to inform its national development policies and ority with a strong institutional basis for imple- plans and strengthen its capacity to reduce the adverse mentation; consequence of natural hazards and climate change, (2) Identify, assess, and monitor disaster risks and en- as it relates to risk reduction. The linkage of these two hance early warning; areas mainly includes managing the impacts of ex- (3) Use knowledge, innovation, and education to treme weather events, variability in precipitation such build a culture of safety and resilience at all lev- as storm surges and sea-level rise. els; (4) Reduce underlying risk factors; and This assessment highlights aspects such as the cur- (5) Strengthen disaster preparedness for effective re- rent country status, gaps, opportunities, and barriers sponse at all levels. related to (a) national policies, strategies, plans, and activities to manage natural hazards; (b) the enabling This assessment report represents a stocktaking exer- environment for a comprehensive risk management cise to review the extent to which disaster risk reduc- approach to natural hazards; and (c) the capacity to tion (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) undertake such a comprehensive approach, including activities have progressed in the Republic of the institutional arrangements, human resources, public Solomon Islands. It identifies gaps or impediments awareness, information, and national budget alloca- that hinder achieving the HFA principles and identi- tions. It also reviews and identifies the need for in- fies opportunities for future DRR/CCA investment formed policy choices, improved decisionmaking pro- that would be timely, cost-effective, and implement- cesses, strengthened regulations, and legislative and able within a three-year timeframe. The focus is on policy changes required to support proposed country- risk reduction, rather than post-disaster recovery and level activities. response. While some specific sector activities are addressed in the assessment of Solomon Islands na- With respect to achievement of the first HFA prin- tional and local government policies and institutional ciple, there is clear evidence of systemic difficulties arrangements, the Solomon Islands report does not among many Pacific island countries in establishing provide a comprehensive summary of sector-by-sector an enabling environment and promoting a cross-sector Solomon Islands Country Assessment 5 focus for DRR and CCA activities. Since the available risk reduction and climate change adaption. It fol- evidence shows that ad hoc and externally driven ap- lows with sections on the Key Country Findings and proaches have not provided satisfactory results so far, Detailed Country Assessment that focus on some key the HFA emphasis upon a strong government com- components relevant to HFA achievement: adopting mitment and action is one of the primary and early and mainstreaming policies, data and knowledge, risk challenges to be surmounted in achieving goals of the and vulnerability assessments, monitoring and evalu- International Strategy for Disaster Reduction. ation, awareness raising and capacity building, plan- ning and budgetary processes, and coordination. From World Bank experience in countries with similar this assessment, possible opportunities for addressing challenges shows that, while it is important to have a the identified gaps and needs within the HFA are pre- clear long-term vision, given the institutional, finan- sented in the final section. The potential opportuni- cial, and resource constraints, more modest "bottom ties for future support are proposed in Annex A. up" approaches tend to have better results. Also, tak- ing existing investment programs and incorporating Funding for this assessment was provided by the simple key DRR/CCA elements demand relatively Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery fewer efforts and resources and yield results that can (GFDRR), which is a partnership with the UN In- lay the foundation for more complex, follow-up stag- ternational Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) es. Getting stakeholders to coordinate their activities system supporting the Hyogo Framework for Action. in line with the Paris Declaration of Aid Effectiveness Other partners that support GFDRR work to pro- also appears to be relatively easier with such a modest tect livelihoods and improve lives include Australia, starting point than with formal efforts aimed at over- Canada, Denmark, European Commission, Finland, all "top down" coordination. France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Nor- way, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, This Solomon Islands assessment begins by explain- USAID Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, and ing the context of the country in relation to disaster the World Bank. v 6 Reducing the Risk of Disasters and Climate Variability in the Pacific Islands Country Context T he Solomon Islands is a large archipelago com- 30 years there have been 6 major natural disasters (in- prised of 6 main islands (Guadalcanal, Malaita, cluding 2 earthquakes--1 with an associated tsunami-- Makira, Isabel, Choiseul, and New Georgia) and and 4 tropical cyclones) directly impacting well over approximately 1,000 smaller islands. With a land area 100,000 people and causing over 100 deaths. The last of 28,450 square kilometers, the Solomon Islands con- disaster was the earthquake and tsunami that occurred sists mainly of mountainous, heavily forested, volcanic on April 2, 2007, centered on the Western Province and islands and a few low-lying coral atolls (Figure 1). with impact in Choisel Province. Fifty-two people died, and 6,000 homes and other buildings, including schools The country is divided into 9 provinces, each with an and hospitals, were damaged or destroyed. The cost of elected Premier and Council and with a provincial ad- reconstruction is estimated at around US$100 million or ministration. There is also a municipal administration 80 percent of the national recurrent budget. Only nomi- for the capital of Honiara. While the strengthening of nal budget provision was made for this in 2008. provincial administration is planned, at present it re- mains weak and largely controlled by central govern- The Solomon Islands extends over 1,450 kilometers ment in Honiara. At an estimated 507,000 (2008), the in a southeast direction in the western Pacific. The population of the Solomon Islands is growing at a rate location of the Solomon Islands in the western Pacific of 2.8 percent per year. Forty-one percent of the popu- places it in the tracks of tropical cyclones and under the lation is below 15 years of age--a demographic situa- influence of El Niņo and La Niņa cycles, which bring tion that is increasing vulnerability to natural hazards. increased risks of droughts and floods, respectively. Fu- ture climate change threatens to exacerbate the risks Like Vanuatu, its neighbor to the south, the Solomon posed from tropical cyclones as well as floods and Islands has a high exposure to a wide range of geo- droughts. logical, hydrological, and climatic hazards, including tropical cyclones, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsu- Various factors combine to make the Solomon Islands namis, landslides, floods, and droughts. Over the past significantly vulnerable to this wide range of natural hazards: Figure 1. Map of the Solomon Islands n Weak economy and limited livelihood opportunities. Both the World Bank and the IMF rank the Solo- mon Islands in the lowest 20 percent of nations in terms of GDP per capita. With a gross national income (GNI) per capita under US$750, the Solo- mon Islands maintains a least developed country status. More than 75 percent of the labor force is engaged in subsistence/cash crop agriculture, with less than 25 percent in paid work. The cash econ- omy is narrowly dependent on forestry, agriculture, fishing, and, more recently, an expanding tourism sector. While the economy has experienced good growth rates in recent years of around 7 percent av- eraged over 2004-2007, it was driven in large part Source: Asian Development Bank. by substantial aid flows and unsustainable logging. Solomon Islands Country Assessment 7 This rather precarious economic situation exposes 34 kilometers of sealed roads in the country, out the country to considerable disruption and hard- of a total of 1,360 kilometers. Rural areas do not ship in the event of natural disaster. have telephones or other modern communication facilities. Most areas of the country are therefore n Ethnic tensions and political instability. Ethnic isolated and extremely vulnerable in the event of tensions and civil unrest, particularly during the disasters. period 1998-2002, resulted in severe impacts on the economy and adversely affected social and In terms of disaster management arrangements, the political stability. The Solomon Islands Govern- National Disaster Council Act (1989), supported by ment was insolvent by 2002. At the invitation of the National Disaster Plan (1987), established a Na- the Government, the Regional Assistance Mission tional Disaster Council (NDC). The NDC is supported to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI), a multinational by a National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) police-centered force organized by Australia, ar- under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The NDC is re- rived in the country in 2003 to assist in restoring viewing the institutional framework for disaster risk law and order and rebuilding the country's insti- management, and there are intentions to develop a Na- tutions, which had become largely non-functional. tional Action Plan (NAP) for Disaster Risk Reduction. Renewed unrest and rioting occurred in April 2006 after the general election. Indications are that the A new Climate Change Division, under the Ministry current Government, which came to power early of Environment, Conservation, and Meteorology, will in 2008, has a more stable relationship both with have CCA responsibility following a reorganization of communities and with the public service. the Climate Change Office in the Meteorological Ser- n Widely dispersed, inaccessible communities. The vice. An informal, multi-sectoral Solomon Islands Alli- hundreds of islands in the country are spread over ance on Climate Change (SIACC) has been replaced by a vast maritime exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of a National Advisory Committee on Climate Change. 1.34 million square kilometers. Air transport ser- A policy to frame the CCA activities will be prepared, vices exist, but not all of the islands have airports; and a National Adaptation Plan of Action (NAPA) for there are 35 airports, only 2 of which have sealed Climate Change is being developed. The institutional runways. Many islands have no roads at all; and on framework to support this is undeveloped, but there is those islands with roads, the roads network is often the potential to connect into the proposed new DRM very limited and in poor condition. There are only framework. v 8 Reducing the Risk of Disasters and Climate Variability in the Pacific Islands Key Country Findings U ntil recently the Solomon Islands Government The country has been slow in developing the required has been pre-occupied with internal country governance structures, and DRR/CCA mainstream- difficulties and with political uncertainties. ing into policies, plans, legislation, and regulations has The structures of governance are therefore generally not occurred. There are major gaps and barriers that weak across all sectors with weak national planning need to be overcome for effective DRR/CCA imple- and budgetary management. Within this environ- mentation, including: ment, government focus on initiatives to reduce risk n No facilities for organizing, archiving, accessing, from hazards or climate change has been limited. Fol- and easily sharing data. Although considerable his- lowing the Initial National Communication on Cli- torical data are available, they are scattered among mate Change (completed in 2001 but not submitted agencies and are poorly organized and archived. to the UNFCCC until 2004), the Government has shown limited attention to the issues it raised in the n Absence of effective mechanisms for cross-sector Initial National Communication and until 2008 has collaboration and cooperation. not budgeted resources toward DDR an CCA activi- n Lack of capacity and tools to carry out data analy- ties. ses, hazard mapping, and vulnerability and risk as- sessments. The NDC and NDMO have been responsible for preparedness and response, with the NDC largely n Absence of regulatory environment (including en- leaving these functions to the NDMO. Cross-sector forcement) to promote risk reduction activity. cooperation between the two offices has been limited. n No mechanism for the mainstreaming of DRR/ Activity in the area of climate change has been largely CCA-related issues into national and sector poli- concentrated on meeting international reporting ob- cies, plans, legislation, and regulations. ligations. The advisory Climate Change Country Team set up in 1998 under the Pacific Islands Cli- n Lack of monitoring and evaluation. mate Change Assistance Program (PICCAP) to de- n Weak linkages among national, provincial, and velop the Initial National Communication has been community governance structures. largely non-functional since 2001. In 2001 the Initial National Communication noted serious obstacles to n Low priority assigned to DRR and CCA issues by its activities, including lack of full commitment of the the national planning and budgetary processes re- Country Team, the lack of policy and enabling envi- sulting in a low priority by donors. ronment, the absence of an institutional framework and linkages for proper coordination, the unavailabil- These are significant obstacles to department or ity of data and information, and the lack of skills and agency activity or private sector participation. There capacity. Lack of interest by the private sector was also is neither evidence of private sector-supported DRR/ observed. There has been little progress until now to CCA activity nor evidence of the sector seeking Gov- address these issues apart from efforts to establish the ernment influence to strengthen an enabling environ- SIACC and develop a NAPA. ment. Rather, government officials report that the private sector generally exploits weak governance ar- The Solomon Islands has a moderate level of awareness rangements. During infrastructure re-instatement fol- but a low level of capacity and commitment to DRR lowing the April 2007 earthquake/tsunami in Western and CCA initiatives across government as a whole. and Choiseul provinces, external consultants did not Solomon Islands Country Assessment 9 address risk reduction measures despite international This report has identified six priority areas where in- funding policies calling for them. However, there are vestment could prove effective in overcoming some of indications of change following lessons from the 2007 the constraints to strengthen DRR/CCA programs: earthquake/tsunami. Also, the policy statements of n Review of the volcanic hazard and establish vol- the new Government from January 2008 stress DRR/ cano monitoring and early warning system; CCA initiatives and infrastructure. n Establishment of an integrated hazards unit with In 2008, as ethnic tensions and political uncertainties information system, tools, and GIS capability; lessened, there were indications that disaster risk re- n Development of the Guadalcanal flood plain man- duction and climate change adaptation were gaining agement regime, as well as the monitoring and traction in the Government, at least at the national warning systems; level. These indications include: n Support of the Climate Change Division for de- n Establishment of a Climate Change Division with- velopment of a CCA policy, governance arrange- in the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and ments, and action plans; Meteorology, with more staff and a higher profile of the CCA activities within government. n Support of the implementation and integration of the new institutional framework of the National n Establishment of the National Advisory Commit- Disaster Council, including CCA; and tee on Climate Change (NACCC) as a cross-sector advisory group for preparing the NAPA. n Undertake DRR activities and investments within priority sectors and at the community level. n Increase staff of the NDMO located in each prov- ince to provide disaster management (DM) and These 6 opportunities for support are selective. They DRR support, reflecting the recognition of DM/ derive from a combination of priorities identified by DRR as an important component of provincial ca- the NDMO, the Climate Change Division, and other pacity. agencies of the Government of Solomon Islands. They n The work, supported by SOPAC and AusAID, were selected from a larger set of opportunities based to review DRM institutional framework, leading on 4 criteria: (a) they directly involve risk reduction; to an expected rewrite of the NDC Act and the (b) are likely to produce tangible results within three National Action Plan. Government is considering years; (c) are likely to have sustainable, longer-term the integration of the DRR/CCA structures that benefits; and (d) have an identified in-country com- would reinforce sector accountabilities and ratio- mitment, champion, and/or effective arrangement for nalize organizational arrangements for risk reduc- implementation. tion activities. A summary of the country situation and the gaps or These are positive indications of possible develop- impediments to effective risk reduction, which justify ment of conditions for realistic risk reduction activi- the selection of these opportunities, is presented in ties. With frameworks to be developed on the provin- Table 1. The last section of report elaborates more on cial and community level, current ad hoc civil society these opportunities for investment. v activities have a chance to become more sustainable. 10 Reducing the Risk of Disasters and Climate Variability in the Pacific Islands table 1. A Summary of the Key Gaps and Opportunities for Drr and CCA for Solomon Islands. Situation Gap Opportunities Very high exposure and Lack information on volcanic Review hazard and establish volcano vulnerability to volcanic hazard risks, monitoring capability, monitoring & early warning system, eruptions and tsunamis. and integrated warning and including risk assessments for key volcanoes, response plans for at-risk areas. identification and establishment of monitoring systems, training, and developing alert and response system. Hazards advisors spread over Lack of integrated hazard advice Implement an integrated hazards unit three agencies and insufficient and capacity for analysis and for Solomon Islands, and establish hazards and vulnerability assessment of vulnerabilities. an integrated hazards information information to underpin Weak information management system and tools (with GIS capability) strategies, plans, and actions with limited capacity regarding by developing a Hazards Information Policy; to reduce risks. Government information system management, assessing data needs; identifying storage considering the integration of hardware and software computing requirements, analysis tools, and mapping hazards advice. capacity, and tools and models for needs; acquiring computer hardware, software, resource managers. and high-speed Internet connection; and supporting technical capacity building Solomon Islands are facing Limited spatial knowledge of Develop Guadalcanal flood plain increasing flood hazards from present and future risks of management regime and warning growing settlements in flood flooding and a warning and system, including review of existing hazard plains. response system. maps and updating, including additional flood risks from scenarios of future climate change, development of flood warning and response system, and development of floodplain management plans. The government of Solomon Limited capacity within Support bringing together DRM and Islands has bolstered climate Government to progress policy CCA arrangements in implementing change by creating a new development and implement the institutional frameworks and the Climate Change Division and arrangements regarding CCA. appropriate elements of the NAPA and is addressing new explicit NAP (soon to be developed), in particular institutional arrangements policy development, governance arrangements and accountabilities for DRM into provincial and community level, and including CCA. capacity development. Solomon Islands Country Assessment 11 Detailed Country Assessment Knowledge, data, tools Flood hazards are perceived as a lesser but more com- The key hazards of the Solomon Islands include mon threat, with flooding occurring particularly in tropical cyclones, earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, Guadalcanal, Malaita, and Makira. However, vulner- volcanic eruptions, floods, and droughts. Data and in- ability to floods appears to be increasing as population formation on geological hazards are produced by the pressures and urbanization creates pressure on low- Geohazards Unit, climate data by the Meteorological lying land subject to river flooding. Streamflow data Division, and streamflow data by the Water Resources are collected under the Water Resource Division, but Division. only two working stations are operational, on Santa Isabel and Malaita. Both are established for purposes In terms of climate-related hazards like tropical cy- of monitoring water resources and hydropower, not clones, floods, and droughts, the Meteorological Divi- flooding. There were 4 other stations, now non-op- sion is a key source of climate data and information in erational, for which data are still available (the oldest support of the Climate Change Division and CCA/ record dating back to 1965). Rainfall data are also col- DRR-related work. The Meteorological Division has lected at these stations; however, they are not shared 39 staff, most of whom are operational staff located in with the Meteorological Division. Coarse-scaled flood the provinces. Climate data required for hazard and hazard maps exist for northern Guadalcanal. The Me- risk assessments are potentially available from four teorological Division issue flood warnings based on sources: weather forecast and satellite data. Yet, neither moni- toring for accuracy of the data nor impact assessments (a) Stations operated by 6 staff that represent the of the warnings on population is conducted. It was current active formal monitoring capacity; suggested that a weather radar capacity would im- (b) Historical records from the defunct network of prove the warning accuracy. stations established during Colonial administra- tion with effort to recover and digitize data going Landslide, particularly associated with tropical cy- back to the 1800s; clones and earthquakes, is a widespread hazard in the Solomon Islands. Landslides account for most of the (c) Defunct network of voluntary stations where ef- fatalities that have occurred during tropical cyclones forts are underway to recover and digitize these in the past century. Understanding of the geological data and to revive the voluntary network; 10 new aspect of the landslides is sufficient but has not yet gauges have been ordered, with the intention of been translated into maps for purposes of vulnerabili- eventually having a network of 150 voluntary sta- ty and risk assessments. Mapping of landslide hazards tions; and requires aerial photographs. Many of the aerial photo- (d) Spatially interpolated climatologies for monthly graphs date back to WWII, with better, updated sets temperature and precipitation, developed by the held by the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey. Centre for Resource and Environment Studies With skills in place, it would be recommended to map (CRES) at Australian National University) dur- landslide hazard areas in the Western Province. ing the 1990s. The hard copies of these maps are held by Meteorological Division, but it is unclear Volcanic hazards represent a rare but potentially cat- whether the digital data files for these spatial cli- astrophic event in terms of damage and loss of life. matologies still exist. There have been 4 active volcanoes in the Solomon Islands--Kavachi and Simbu in the Western Islands, 12 Reducing the Risk of Disasters and Climate Variability in the Pacific Islands Savo off Guadalcanal, and Tinakula in the Eastern Is- Gaps lands. Numerous eruptions were recorded in the 20th n Lack of common focus for hazard management and century, with no fatalities occurring. However, two skills development for hazard analysis and vulner- large eruptions in the previous century, from Savo and ability assessment. Bringing the separate hazards Kavachi, resulted in death of an estimated 600 people departments into a common unit and developing (mostly from associated tsunamis). Honiara, which is skills and systems for an all hazards capability could only 20 kilometers away from Savo, is vulnerable to prove beneficial. It is currently being considered by volcanic ashfall and tsunami. Thus, volcanic eruptions Government. represent a low probability/high impact hazard; how- ever, very little has been done to map the hazards or n Absence of centralized, systematic databases and to reduce the risks. retrieval systems for data on all hazards. There is need to trace, compile, collate, and systematize In terms of earthquake hazard, there are data on seis- these data as a basis for analyses in support of DRR mic events dating back to the 1930s. There is only one and CCA. seismology station established in the early 1960s as n Lack of procedures and protocols for reciprocal data part of the global network. Two other stations are no sharing between sector agencies. Data, such as map longer operational, but their accumulated data are still bases and statistical data, are held within sectors available. Seismologic events are generally well un- and not shared readily. derstood, but more information at the provincial level is required for future analyses. An enlarged monitor- n Alarming drop in number of continuous time-series ing network is needed to understand seismic risks at records that include recent data. Monitoring net- the provincial scale. The priority should be given to works have been severely degraded in the past 10- compiling, analyzing, and mapping the information. 15 years, which created large gaps in time-series At present, only two seismology technician staff are data; in the future it can impede trend, extreme members of the Geohazards Unit. The capacity needs event, and other analyses required for risk and vul- to be elevated in order to move from the general seis- nerability assessments. If this tendency continues, mological analysis to the seismology of the Solomon in 30 years no data for analysis would be available. Islands ­ a difference in scale and detail. Once this n With a few exceptions, hazard maps are unavail- is accomplished, then improving the monitoring net- able at sufficient resolution scales for the purposes of work should be the next step. DRR and CCA. In general, a surprisingly large stock of existing data n Difficulty in stimulating a pro-active attitude of is available. However, its analysis is lacking. For DDR staff working on natural hazards. With a new focus and CCA, these data are crucial for vulnerability and on risk reduction, this would change but a risk of adaptation assessments, risk assessments, baselines capacity loss is involved, as long as there is no call for scenarios of climate change, and extreme climatic for this information offered by the staff. event analyses. The existing holdings are scattered and not well documented, both within and among sector agencies. Key staff members are often not aware of Vulnerability and risk assessments data and information availability since data does not While there is potentially a firm base for hazard map- seem to be clearly explained and easily accessible. ping, the country is still facing substantial challenge in Solomon Islands Country Assessment 13 adequately identifying its key vulnerabilities and risks, At present there are no "clients or end users" and including mapping of the communities at risk and the therefore no demands for detailed risk profiles and timing of the hazards. vulnerability assessments to underpin DRR and CCA. The Meteorology Division (in MECM), In disaster risk reduction, the NDMO, which has the Geohazards Unit (in MME), Water Resources Divi- primary role for disaster management, is only being sion (in MME), and other agencies could contribute introduced to the DRR. While it is recognized that to vulnerability assessments and risk profiles. The vulnerability and risk assessments will be central to capacity, however limited, of these agencies for vul- its activities, its current focus is to strengthen DM nerability assessment and risk profiles is not coor- arrangements and develop capacity in the provinces. dinated or focused. It would be beneficial to bring It has not yet provided the guidance to other sector these hazards units together to build capacity; the agencies. This reflects the fact that DRR has not yet Government is considering this as part of the insti- been included into policies, plans, and legislation, as tutional framework review for DRM. well as relevant sector agencies activities. Gaps The institutional framework for DRR, accountability, Existing gaps should be addressed to make available and connections among different agencies is being es- full vulnerability and risk assessments. These gaps in- tablished. There are two challenges faced by the coun- clude: try and the donors: (a) commitment to establish an operational framework, and (b) donors' commitment n Lack of commitment by end users who do not have to assist with funding of the capacity development re- risk reduction in their frame of priorities, regard- quired over the next three years and beyond. ing sectors, areas, and dimensions of vulnerability and risk needed to be addressed. For both DRR and In climate change adaptation, the situation is simi- CCA--and their areas of common concern--di- lar. With end-user interest lacking, the Meteorologi- rections are required in government policies and cal Division has not taken a pro-active approach to institutional frameworks. Priorities need to be es- vulnerability and risk assessment in support of active tablished with end-users. risk reduction. It has previously focused on coordinat- n Unavailability of tools and models to transform data ing vulnerability and adaptation assessments only at a into vulnerability and risk assessments. Generally, broad-brush scale as needed, for example, for national expertise exists and should be used for develop- reporting for the Initial National Communication to ment of tools and models to analyze and transform the UNFCCC. The new Climate Change Division, data into DRR/CCA-related products. which takes over the CCA role from the Meteorologi- cal Division, will be responsible for the preparation of n Absence of a coherent, integrated entity with capac- the Second National Communication and the devel- ity, data, and knowledge to produce risk and vulner- opment of the NAPA in the first instance. Climate ability assessments. In the Solomon Islands, the ca- change adaptation has not been mainstreamed into pacities required to produce such assessments are policies, plans, and legislation or into the relevant sec- spread over several agencies that do not commu- tor agencies. The opportunity exists to integrate this nicate or interact easily. For example, the Ministry activity into the institutional framework being devel- of Lands, Housing and Survey has GIS capability, oped for DRM. but the Geohazards Unit has the knowledge and skills required to use GIS in creating credible haz- 14 Reducing the Risk of Disasters and Climate Variability in the Pacific Islands ard maps. The capacity will be difficult to develop fication of cross-sector functions and accountability, without an integrated entity. and help mainstreaming CCA into departmental ac- tivities. Integration with the institutions developed for DRM would provide connection with provincial Mainstreaming into plans, policy, and local authorities and civil society activities in this legislation, and regulations area. In 1998-2001 a Climate Change Country Team was established under PICCAP to prepare the Initial Na- The DRR coordination is the responsibility of the tional Communication. After 2001, Country Team National Disaster Council, which focuses on disas- ceased to operate. The 2001 Initial National Com- ter management response. The NDC Chair observes munication noted that adaptation to effects of climate more attention and importance shall be given to disas- and sea-level change could only be implemented ef- ter risk reduction. To facilitate this, the institutional fectively if measures are taken to address wider devel- arrangements are being reviewed as part of the review opment issues. These measures include: of the National Disaster Act and the National Disas- ter Plan. In the meantime the NDMO is continuing n Development of a national policy framework, capacity development and promoting awareness in the n Capacity building and institutional strengthening, provinces. n Public awareness and education. Presently, CCA and DRR concerns are not integrated into Government plans or legislation; however, a good Serious obstacles listed in the Initial National Com- start has been made. Capacity needs to be raised to munication addressed these issues, including only ensure further progress. part-time commitment of the Country Team, lack of policy and any enabling environment, absence of insti- Gaps tutional framework and linkages for proper coordina- n Insufficient capacity to establish policy framework tion, unavailability of data and information, and lack and enabling environment for CCA. The CCA of skills and capacity. Until now, there has been little continues to be externally driven, with insufficient progress to address these issues, and mainstreaming of emphasis placed on developing explicit governance CCA has not occurred. and institutional capacity to create the necessary enabling environments. In 2007 the SIACC, an informal coordination group, was formed. However, SIACC met only once, and in n Delayed commitment to implement the institutional June 2008 the new Climate Change Division replaced framework for DRM and provide for its integration it with a new NACCC comprising politicians and of- with CCA. The proposed arrangements are await- ficials. ing approval of the Cabinet. n Lack of capacity to implement the frameworks, in- Initially, the Climate Change Division was responsible cluding at provincial and local levels, as well as to for preparation of the NAPA, which is now in draft engage civil society. A three-year implementation form. The Division was also to address the develop- program is required to give effect to the adopted ment of a climate change policy, relevant legislation, frameworks. and preparation of the Second National Communica- tion. The policy development should lead to identi- n Non-sustained funding commitment to support the Solomon Islands Country Assessment 15 development and implementation of the frameworks Gaps both in-country and from donors to support these n Lack of funding to support planned campaign. To be activities. effective programs need to be applied at the village level and continued every year. Required resources n Inadequate national planning and budgetary pro- and coordination is significant to address 10,000 cesses to support the mainstreaming of risk reduction. villages of the Solomon Islands. n Materials and content need to be developed. Core Monitoring and evaluation frameworks need to be developed within which to With the absence of risk reduction policies and frame- coordinate NGO and civil society programs. works there is no mechanism to monitor and evaluate DRR/CCA activities. In the institutional framework, which is being considered by the Cabinet, both DRR Governance and decisionmaking and CCA activities will be reported to the Govern- The National Disaster Council Act (1989), supported by ment through the National Disaster Council chaired the National Disaster Plan (1987), established the NDC by the Prime Minister's Office. to overview arrangements and operations for DRM, with support of the NDMO, the NDC is reviewing the Arrangements for review of risk reduction activities institutional framework for DRM. There are intentions are being considered; detailed procedures will also to develop a National Action Plan for DRM. need to be developed. A new Climate Change Division, under the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Meteorology, has Awareness raising and capacity responsibility for CCA. A policy to frame these activi- building ties will be prepared, and a draft NAPA has been devel- The National Disaster Council runs an annual Di- oped. The institutional framework to support this is in saster and Risk Awareness Campaign through the the process of development, and there is the potential to integrate CCA with the proposed DRM framework. NDMO with the participation of the Meteorological Service; the MME Geohazards and Hydrology Units; Disaster risk reduction is a responsibility of the Nation- the Ministries of Health and Education, the Police, al Disaster Council. Until now, planning has not taken Search and Rescue; and several NGOs. The Cam- into account risk reduction since disaster management paign targets schools, villages, and the business sector has been the major focus. Renewed importance of and concentrates on hazard information, prepared- DRR has resulted in a review of the National Disaster ness, and warning arrangements. The NDC Chair Act, which will incorporate DRR. A need to strength- observed that risk reduction awareness programs shall en institutional arrangements for DRM across sectors be conducted in villages; recent recruitment and train- and agencies and on the national, provincial, and local ing of 10 staff in the provinces is intended to focus levels was recognized, especially after the April 2007 on disaster management and risk reduction awareness. earthquake/tsunami in the western provinces. Civil society will be involved in developing and deliv- ering these programs. The NDMO, the secretariat of the NDC, has trained 10 new regional disaster coordinators to be deployed 16 Reducing the Risk of Disasters and Climate Variability in the Pacific Islands in the provinces as civil servants. The NDMO has in- NAPA. However, with its establishment, the Climate creased its staff from 2 in 2005 to 15 in 2008. Five are Change Division became responsible for these tasks. based at the national office and 10 are new positions The Division has only two staff, clearly an inadequate (one for each province). This increase in staff repre- number, but there is a budget commitment on the part sents a significant Government commitment toward of Government to increase this number to six. DRM. More staff training is planned. Provincial of- ficers are responsible for helping provinces to develop The Climate Change Division operates under the their action plans; raising awareness; and, at the com- Environment Act 1998. However, climate change is munity level, providing training and helping commu- not explicit in the Act. This puts the Climate Change nities to identify risks and respond to them. Division in a weak position. One of the priority tasks identified by the Division is to firm up its position and The NDC is committed to establishing relations with role with the development of a Climate Change Policy the communities and across national agencies that in Framework, the intention being that the Framework the past have not been engaged. The NDMO is also would lead to the development of a stand-alone climate advocating a relationship between DRR and CCA. change act or policy. This would shore up the Division Increased funding--reflected in the hiring of new and give it a mandate, without which it could be left staff--reflects the commitment and growing aware- vulnerable and unsustainable, as has happened in the ness within the Government. However, at the level of past. Under consideration is the inclusion of the CCA national planning and budgeting, the processes and activity within the institutional framework of the Na- support to provide for mainstreaming and implemen- tional Disaster Council chaired by the Office of Prime tation has yet to be developed. Lack of budgetary sup- Minister. This would strengthen its access to the senior port is a major impediment to DRR, as well as CCA. levels of government and also provide arrangements through provincial government and civil society to the To integrate DRR, the NDC needs to commit to the community level with the DRM arrangements. outcomes of the institutional review leading to the re- vision of the National Disaster Act and the National Impediments Disaster Plan and complete them by mid-2009. The n Absence of CCA/DDR content in policy, legislation, NAP is also an important process to be carried out to and in the National Disaster Plan. Roles, functions, establish the multi-sector three- and ten-year action and accountabilities need to be provided for across plans for implementation. The NAP and the NAPA sectors. These are included in the institutional ar- could be addressed within one institutional frame- rangements under consideration but significant support will be needed for implementation. Inte- work, an opportunity that should be encouraged. gration of arrangements for DRR/DRM and CCA would strengthen the basis for both. Also under Land use and building controls are limited. However, consideration is the integration of the hazards the institutional arrangements under consideration functions that would allow for a common skills set include a Risk Reduction Committee of the NDC, and focus for vulnerability and risk assessment. which would address these and other CCA issues. n Weak policy commitment, and national planning and In terms of CCA, the Meteorology Division was the budgetary processes. The focus for DRR and CCA focal point for climate change issues, including respon- needs to be championed to get cross-sector support. sibility for the Second National Communication and Also a political champion is needed to get these is- Solomon Islands Country Assessment 17 sues included in national planning and budgetary arm does not have a function during disasters under arrangements. The new institutional arrangements the current National Disaster Plan. Provincial Pre- under consideration for the NDC would provide miers are keen to see the new institutional arrange- for this. There is political support for the inclusion ments adopted, including a mandated role in the leg- of CCA processes within this. Development of islation. Awareness raising and capacity building are specific CCA policy and coordination across agen- sorely needed, particularly for disaster risk reduction. cies remains a need. There is US$600,000 in government money that has been committed to support the 10 provincial disaster coordinators who will establish provincial structures Coordination among government and perform mainstreaming and community outreach agencies activities. Their AusAID-supported training has been With regard to DRR, coordination between the completed and there is a European Union program to NDC, NDMO, and other ministries (even though establish Provincial Disaster Coordination Centers in they are represented on the NDC) has not been well each province and municipality over the next 4 years. established. Other ministries have not committed to active DRR. It is not perceived to be a mainstream With regards to CCA, the situation is much the same activity for them. The perception has been that DRR as with DRR. The coordinating cross-sector com- was led by NDC and Home Affairs. Upgrading the mittee set up to develop the NAPA--the National institutional framework, the legislation, and the Na- Advisory Committee on Climate Change (formerly tional Disaster Plan is seen as a priority by NDC the Solomon Islands Alliance for Climate Change)-- in order to strengthen DRM arrangements through does not have a policy or legal basis to provide the provincial government and into communities, and to incentive for an effective coordination role. The Cli- mainstream DRR into planning processes across gov- mate Change Division has set a priority to establish a ernment agencies. Detailed arrangements have been policy basis for its functions, which is needed before it developed and are under consideration. Once a com- can effectively perform a coordinating function. The mitment is made a significant effort will be required Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Meteo- to promote and implement the arrangements at both rology supports the CCA connection into the new the national cross-sector level and at the provincial NDC framework to bring CCA issues to the atten- level to communities. A significant role is envisaged tion of government agencies and the Government at for NGOs and civil society implementing arrange- the proposed higher level. ments at the community level within the new institu- tional framework. Impediments n Lack of commitment to the new institutional ar- At provincial-level government, awareness and com- rangements for the National Disaster Council, in- mitment is low. At this level Provincial Disaster Plans cluding CCA. Until there is formal commitment of and Committees (comprised of officials) either do not Government to these arrangements, the rewrite of exist or are non-operational. Only 3 of 10 provinces the legislation and the National Disaster Plan can- have committed office space. At this level, the focus, not proceed. Once legislation is formalized, there if any, is on DM arrangements and the issues of DRR is a need for a substantial commitment to its im- are not rated. Provincial government perceives its plementation across sectors and through provincial mandate for DRM as weak and indeed the political government to communities. 18 Reducing the Risk of Disasters and Climate Variability in the Pacific Islands n Without a workable policy agencies have no sense of For NGOs the focus has been on preparedness and obligation to CCA. Development of specific CCA response in communities, but increasingly they see a policy, and amendment to the Environment Act, role to support government in DRR/CCA activity. as necessary, will give effect to roles and functions The NGOs are involved with the NDMO through of relevant agencies concerned with CCA the National Disaster Plan, and its redrafting will ex- plicitly address their involvement with risk reduction n Weakness within provincial government for DRM activity. For CCA NGOs have representative mem- and CCA issues and lack of connection into communi- bership on the NACCC. ties. The roles of the Provincial Disaster Coordina- tors to establish the new provincial and commu- Impediments nity-level arrangements will need to be supported n The Government has not identified risk reduction as over the next 3 years and beyond. In this regard, a country priority and so does not raise it in discus- the connection with NGOs and civil society will sions with donors. be essential. n The Government views DRR and CCA activity as externally driven and has come to expect that it will Coordination among donors and key be externally funded. It is important that expecta- stakeholders tions on countries are set out clearly and explicitly In-country donor activity in risk reduction (both for to avoid discussion being defaulted. Donors should DRR and CCA) has been limited. AusAID has had be explicit about regional versus country perspec- a substantial program for disaster management devel- tives for DRR. opment through the NDMO, and the EU is address- ing disaster management facilities in the provinces. However explicit DRR activity is not raised by the Planning and budgetary processes Government as a priority and so does not enter dis- Current national planning and budgetary processes cussions with donors. are weak, and risk reduction is not an element in the planning and budget control process. The activity is Generally, donors view DRR as cross-cutting and re- not mainstreamed either for DRR or CCA, and so it gional in scope, and both AusAID and NZAID do does not appear in national planning or budgeting. not note it within their country framework. The CCA activity has been confined to support from UNDP to- It is useful to note that DRM and CCA issues appear ward the development of the NAPA without involve- in the Government Policy Statements of January 2008 ment of other funders. for disaster management, climate, and infrastructure for the first time and indicate a changing attitude. It is There has been limited scope for coordination be- also noted that a Medium-Term Development Strat- tween donors in the forthcoming GEFPAS-funded egy is being developed by the Ministry of Planning activity, implementation of NAPA, and potential ac- and Aid Coordination; and, arising from the institu- tivity for DRM under the yet to be developed NAP. tional framework review, it is expected to address risk As this set of activity comes into focus, there will be a reduction issues. need for coordination between donors and stakehold- ers at both the country and regional level. Impediments n Lack of champions at the political and senior govern- Solomon Islands Country Assessment 19 ment level. Indications are this may be changing. Change Policy Framework (d) reviewing the Environ- ment Act; and (e) formalizing the NACCC to oversee n Lack of awareness of specific issues and how to manage major initiatives, like the NAPA. The draft NAPA is them. Support to the NDC and awareness material being considered; and with funding committed, im- for politicians would help build commitment. plementation is expected to follow. In the DRR context, there have been some awareness Implementation of actual risk-reducing programs, but the focus to date has been on develop- measures ing disaster management capability. This is seen by the In the CCA context, the last major activity complet- NDMO as a necessary precursor to addressing more ed was the Initial National Communications to the intangible issues of risk reduction. In recent times Gov- UNFCCC submitted in 2004. The Climate Change ernment focus has been elsewhere, but in the present Country Team, which produced and completed the atmosphere, there are indications of a willingness to ad- Communication in 2001, disbanded, and climate dress the governance issues of risk reduction. change issues were relegated to a two-staff unit within the Meteorological Division. There has been some ac- The GEFPAS funding will commence for water de- tivity commencing the development of the NAPA but velopment projects and for food production/security otherwise little progress on CCA issues. Earlier this on low-lying atolls. year this small unit transitioned into the new Climate It is noted for the reconstruction of infrastructure, Change Division with an agenda of 5 major activities: following the April 2007 earthquake/tsunami in the (a) developing the NAPA; (b) preparing the Second western provinces, that risk reduction considerations National Communication; (c) preparing a Climate have not been a significant factor. v 20 Reducing the Risk of Disasters and Climate Variability in the Pacific Islands Opportunities for Investment F rom the above country assessment, it is evi- The Solomon Islands and most of the Pacific island dent that the Solomon Islands is in the initial countries already have established policies, institu- stages of garnering widespread awareness of, tions, systems and related structures to address DRR/ and creating organizational arrangements for, DRR CCA challenges, and several programs (NAPs, NA- and CCA within its National Government. With PAs, etc.) have been prepared and are ready to be en- ethnic and political tensions diminishing, some at- acted. Unfortunately, there are significant gaps in the tention has been committed to strengthening disas- 5 key HFA areas discussed in this report; additionally, ter risk management arrangements. With this new while some efforts have been made to address certain focus comes the opportunity to initiate new DRM/ issues, others (funding, staffing and related opera- DRR frameworks and the potential to integrate ar- tional support) persist. While efforts have been made rangements for CCA. The stage has been set with to identify and address high-yielding, short-term pri- increased staff for the NDMO and the new Climate ority issues, it appears that more effort is needed to Change Division and the formation of cross-sectoral fully categorize such needs and decide upon short-, committees with their sights targeted on advancing medium and long-term programs. the NAP and NAPA processes. With the adoption of the new institutional framework, significant support Solomon Islands policymakers, sector officials (in con- will be required in policy development and legislation sultation with local stakeholders) and various donors for CCA, in the implementation of the framework and financial institutitions compiled a list of priorities. through national agencies and provincial government The Government may choose to pursue any these op- and into communities with linkages to civil society, in tions with its own resources, with support from the information management and capacity development international donor community, and/or international for vulnerability and risk assessment, and in on-the- financial institutions like the Asian Development ground activity implementing the NAPA and NAP. Bank and the World Bank. Grant funding for Solo- mon Islands is being mobilized from the Global Facil- As noted in the introduction, this country assessment ity for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) to highlights current country status, gaps, opportunities, support pilot programs which could be leveraged to and barriers related to national policies, strategies, undertake some of the proposed investments, based plans, and activities regarding the management of on demand. Funds are expected to support programs natural hazards, as well as with the enabling environ- from 2009-11. ment for a comprehensive risk management approach to natural hazards. It also highlights the capacity to Consequently, there are many gaps and impediments undertake such a comprehensive approach, including to DRR and CCA that impede potential opportuni- institutional arrangements, human resources, public ties for investment leading to the improvement of risk awareness, information, and national budget alloca- reduction. In narrowing the field of opportunities, this tions. In most discussions among key government of- report has applied two sets of filters or criteria. The ficials and other stakeholders, investment programs first set favors those opportunities that achieve the fol- are prioritized and selected based on expectations of lowing: several criteria (costs, available funding, efficiency, ex- n Address risk reduction directly; pected benefits, institutional, financial, legal and re- lated capacity, etc.). n Are likely to produce tangible results within three years; Solomon Islands Country Assessment 21 n Are likely to have longer-term sustainable benefits; within a three-year period, and, once established, and would have long-term benefits in facilitating in- tegrated action across agencies and sectors. To be n Have in-country commitment, champions, and/or successfully implemented, the information system institutional arrangements to promote implemen- would have to be strongly promoted by NDMO tation. and the Climate Change Division. With these criteria in mind, and with consultation (3) Develop Guadalcanal flood plain management re- and expert judgment, 7 priorities for investment were gime and warning system. The Guadalcanal flood identified. These 7, along with a summary of the ra- plains are developing rapidly as population is at- tionale for each in relation to the above criteria and tracted to urban settlements. This is exacerbating a as linked to the discussion in the body of the text, significant flood hazard to expanding settlements, follow: as evidenced by the flooding in 2005 and 2007, (1) Review hazard and establish volcano monitoring which displaced thousands of inhabitants. There & early warning system. In terms of damage and is a paucity of river and rain gauges and thus no loss of life in the Solomon Islands, volcanic erup- effective warning and response system, no hazard tions are rare but high-impact risks. However, maps, and no zoning or land use management. A little has been accomplished with regard to haz- three-year program, which factored in future cli- ard and risk mapping. The monitoring capacity is mate changes, would provide significant long-term limited, and there is no alert and response system benefits in preventing and reducing risk. This is in the event of volcanic crisis. For 4 key volca- supported and would be driven by the NDMO noes associated with the higher-risk situations, it and implemented by Ministry of Mines and En- is feasible to carry out the necessary risk assess- ergy along with the Meteorological Division. ments, establish monitoring systems, and conduct (4) Support the Climate Change Division for develop- training in monitoring and maintenance within ment of a climate change adaptation policy, integra- a 3-year period, with long-term sustainable ben- tion of governance arrangements through the NDC, efits. The program should be strongly supported and implementation of action plans. Government by NDMO. support for CCA is reflected in the decision to es- (2) Establish integrated hazards information system tablish a Climate Change Division with expand- and tools (with GIS capability). Despite an alarm- ed staff. In its formative stages of development, ing drop in data collection in the Solomon Is- the Division requires a policy framework, along lands, there exist considerable historical data. But with significant awareness raising within relevant they tend to be scattered, disorganized, and often government agencies. These activities needed to not analyzed and utilized effectively. In anticipa- underpin the NAPA process, to implement ac- tion of the development of cross-sectoral, cross- tion plans, and to mainstream CCA into sectoral governmental (national to local) collaboration and strategic planning and budgetary process. While integration of DRR/CCA effort; and systematic staff numbers are being expanded, the expertise system of organization, storage, and sharing of needs enhancing. There is the need for technical data and information, including communicating assistance and capacity building to get the crucial and sharing with outer islands, is required. Tech- tasks underway. This is achievable within three nically, such a system could be established well years and would provide the foundation for sus- 22 Reducing the Risk of Disasters and Climate Variability in the Pacific Islands tainable activities thereafter. The lead agency and education targeted at the provincial and commu- promoter is the Climate Change Division. nity level. A pilot program is achievable within three years. (5) Support the integration and implementation of the new institutional framework for the NDC through (7) Support the implementation of DRR activities and national agencies and provincial government and pilot investments in priority sectors and at commu- into communities with linkages to civil society. De- nity level. velopment of the NDC legislation is required to give effect to the framework, the new National The above 7 opportunities for support were then sub- Disaster Plan, and the integration with CCA. jected to a second filter by asking the question, Which of The establishment of the national and provincial the opportunities are already or are likely to be supported by structures of the framework requires facilitation other donors and agencies? The intent of applying this and involvement of the member agencies in de- second criterion was to determine where the World veloping terms of reference, standard operating Bank could add value in a coordinated and harmo- procedures, and implementation. Development nized manner through other players in the region. of the framework for local arrangements and en- Opportunity (6), provincial and community awareness gagement with NGOs and civil society also re- and disaster disk management education, fell into this quires facilitation and support over a three-year category, at least in part. The EU program for provin- timeframe and on-going to establish capacity and cial disaster centers includes provincial-level capacity momentum for sustainable risk reduction mea- building for disaster management and training and sures at the community level. public awareness campaigns related to disaster coordi- nation. On this basis, the 6 remaining priority activi- (6) Provincial and community awareness and disaster ties can be viewed as complementary and therefore as risk management education. There are large gaps opportunities for the World Bank to add value. among national government, provincial govern- ment, and communities where actions to reduce In Annex A, each of these 6 opportunities is expanded risk are largely implemented. Given the large to provide preliminary information on, for example, geographical, cultural, and economic disparities indicative costs, timeframes, and first-order actions that exist within the Solomon Islands, bridging and tasks. This information is intended to be suffi- these gaps will be a formidable task. It is gener- cient for the development of detailed proposals and ally agreed within Government that a critical first terms of reference should the World Bank wish to step is a concerted effort at awareness raising and pursue these opportunities for investment further. v Annex A. Proposals for Support in Solomon Islands Proposal: S1 review Hazard and establish Volcano Monitoring & early Warning System Country/Sector: Solomon Islands: Settlements Goal and purpose: Settlements at reduced risk from volcanic events, through monitoring and early warning arrangements Scope: Volcanic hazards in four areas. Lead agency: MMe, with NDMO - linked to sub-regional MVN initiative Cost and duration: uS$440,000 over 2 years risk reducing Cost time- Hazards targeted measures Key gaps/barriers tasks uS$k frame Volcanic eruptions Avoidance of high-risk Lack of information on Risk assessments for Savo, Tinakula, Kavachi, 80 June zones volcanic hazard risks and Simbo volcanoes and identification of 2009 Tsunami appropriate monitoring and warning regimes Warning and Lack of volcanological evacuation monitoring capability Establishment, as appropriate, of 2 permanent 300 June volcanic monitoring stations and 2 mobile 2010 Inadequate integrated systems incl. seismometers, probes, warning and response thermometers and gas monitoring equipments. plans for at-risk areas Training in volcanic monitoring, equipment 20 Sept maintenance and data analysis 2010 Development of alert and response system for 40 Dec volcanic crisis. 2010 Continues Solomon Islands Country Assessment 23 24 Annex A. Proposals for Support in Solomon Islands Continues Proposal: S2 establish Integrated Hazards Information System and tools (with GIS capability) Country/Sector: Solomon Is: Hazards advisors and sector users Goal and purpose: to inform and promote risk reduction decisions through information sharing and sound data management, analysis and presentation Scope: National Lead agency: Climate Change Division, NDMO with hazard advisors and sector users Cost and duration: uS$0.5M over 12months risk reduction Cost time- Hazards targeted measures Key gaps/barriers tasks uS$M frame Wind, storm surges Evaluate and map Generally weak Develop and adopt a Hazards Information 0.1 Year 1 hazards information management Policy SLR systems in most agencies Assess risks and map Identify long-term storage requirements, Climate Change and no Information System vulnerability analysis tools and mapping needs extreme events Management policies. Map assets and assess Acquire appropriate computer hardware, 0.2 Year 2 Coastal inundation Most hazard information is critical infrastructure software and high speed Internet connection and erosion still hard-copy based and Monitor environmental of questionable standard. Support capacity building through populating Fire changes and increased the information system with available historical Limited capacity for Droughts, exposure to risks data and undertaking vulnerability mapping and information system risk modeling and for climate change & risk Fresh and marine management 0.2 Year 3 prediction waters pollution Reducing the Risk of Disasters and Climate Variability in the Pacific Islands Weak hardware and Develop a hazards strategic plan and undertake Pandemics software computing capacity development within the hazards group capacity including but not limited to: Limited tools and models hazard mapping of key hazards, development of for resource managers an integrated hazards information system with risk and vulnerability tools, undertaking risk and vulnerability assessments for identified sector clients Establish minimum requirements for the Solomon Is observation networks (particularly for the meteorological and hydrological monitoring) and progressively upgrade in conjunction with other regional program. Annex A. Proposals for Support in Solomon Islands Continues Proposal: S3 Develop Guadalcanal flood plain management regime and warning system Country/Sector Solomon Islands: Settlements, Hydrology Goal and purpose: Sustainable settlements and land-use, by providing spatial flood risk information and a warning/response for a flood plain currently experiencing rapid development Lead agency: MMe with Meteorological Service and NDMO with Water, Meteorological Service Cost and duration: uS$0.7M over 3 years Hazards targeted Risk reducing Key gaps/barriers Actions and tasks Cost Time- measures US$M frame Flooding Early warning and Limited spatial knowledge Review of the existing Guadalcanal Plain Flood 0.1 Year 1/ evacuation of present and future risks Hazard Maps and update as required, including 4 mths of flooding additional flood risks from scenarios of future climate change. Avoiding settlement in Lack of warning and high risk zones response system Develop flood warning and response system, 0.5 Year 2/ including: 9 mths · Establish a telemetric river gauge and rainfall network for 3 rivers (Lunga + 2 others) incl. 2 stream gauges and 4 rain gauges per catchment · Develop network for communication and dissemination of warnings. · Develop local flood response and 0.1 Year 3/ evacuation plans 4 mths Develop floodplain management plans Solomon Islands Country Assessment 25 26 Annex A. Proposals for Support in Solomon Islands Continues Proposal: S4 Support the Climate Change Division for development of a climate change adaptation policy, governance arrangements and action plans Country/Sector: Solomon Islands; multi-sector Goal and purpose: A national climate change adaptation policy and action plan, by providing technical assistance to the Climate Change Division for effective development and timely government approval. Scope: National policy Lead agency: MeCM, Climate Change Division departments Cost and duration: uS$0.2M over 2 years Cost time- Hazards targeted risk reducing measures Key gaps/barriers tasks uS$M frame Climate-related Multiple, according to Lack of capacity within Develop a whole-of-government policy on CCA 0.1 Year 1 hazards, including hazard and sector at government to progress identifying goals, roles, and accountabilities and floods, droughts, risk policy development integrated with NDC arrangements. Establish tropical cyclones. arrangements the Climate Change Division as the designated national authority 0.05 Year 1 Facilitate a government-level awareness program addressing the political and departmental level 0.2 Year 3 Support the implementation of the NAPA with actions identified across agencies ­ 2 months Reducing the Risk of Disasters and Climate Variability in the Pacific Islands per year for 3 years Annex A. Proposals for Support in Solomon Islands Continues Proposal: S5 Support the implementation and integration of the new institutional framework of the NDC including climate change adaptation Country/Sector: Solomon Islands; multi-sector Goal and purpose: An effective and sustainable set of arrangements for DrM and CCA through national agencies and provincial government and into communities with strong linkages to civil society. Scope: National, provincial, and local arrangements for government, private sector and civil society Lead agency: Prime Minister's Office as chair of the NDC, NDMO, and MeCM, Climate Change Division Cost and duration: uS$0.3M over 3 years Risk reducing Cost Time- Hazards targeted measures Key gaps/barriers Tasks US$k frame All hazards Multiple, according to Commitment to the Develop the NDC legislation to give effect to 0.05 Year 1 hazard and sector at institutional framework, framework and new National Disaster Plan risk capacity at national and provincial levels and Facilitate the establishment of national 0.2 Year 2 resource to provide and provincial structures with members in sustained support developing terms of reference, SOPs and exercising--3 months technician assistance per year for 3 years 0.1 Year 3 Develop and implement the framework for local arrangements and support NGOs and civil society. Solomon Islands Country Assessment 27 28 Annex A. Proposals for Support in Solomon Islands Proposal: S6 undertake Drr activities and investments within priority sectors and at the community level Country/Sector: Solomon Islands; multi-sector Goal and purpose: Implement Drr activities and pilot investments in priority sectors and at community level Scope: National, provincial and local arrangements for government, private sector and civil society Lead agency: Prime Minister's Office as chair of the NDC, NDC, NDMO and MeCM, sector ministries Cost and duration: uS$1.6M over 3 years Risk reducing Cost Time- Hazards targeted measures Key gaps/barriers Tasks US$M frame All hazards Multiple, according to Commitment to the Implementation of priority activities across 0.1 Year 1 hazard and sector at institutional framework, sectors, levels of government, private sector, risk capacity at national and and at the community level, including but 0.8 provincial levels and not limited to improving end-to-end early Year 2 resource to provide warning arrangements, developing and sustained support widely disseminating risk maps, undertaking provincial- and community-level DRM programs in conjunction with NGO and local community groups, encouraging private sector in DRR 00.7 Year 3 activities, and promoting sustainable use and management of ecosystems (including through better regulation of land-use), and reducing risk and vulnerabilities Reducing the Risk of Disasters and Climate Variability in the Pacific Islands Support development and implementation of a wireless broadband communication network across 9 provinces to support DRM arrangements and early warning systems. Such a network would also support hazard observation monitoring networks, and rural development, livelihood, and welfare sector programs. The network would comprise up to 7 satellite-receiving stations and microwave spine systems with local village networks on a village ownership business model and be installed in association with technical co-sponsors. Solomon Islands Country Assessment 29 Annex B. Project team and People Consulted Project Team John Norton Consultant, New Zealand Richard Warrick Consultant, New Zealand supported by Michael Bonte SOPAC Persons Consulted (April 4-9, 2008) Loti Yeats Director, National Disaster Management Office Fred Fakare PS, Ministry of Home Affairs Janet Bates National Disaster Management Office Joe Horokou Director Dept for Environment, MEC&M Douglas Yee Acting Director Climate Change Division, MEC&M David Hiriasia Deputy Director Met. Service, MEC&M Noel Sanau Meteorological Service, MEC&M David Michael Geological Survey, MME Alison Papabatu Seismology and Volcanology Section, MME Douglas Billy Geological Survey, MME Kelly Bobby Seismology and Volcanology Section, MME Thomas Toba Seismology and Volcanology Section, MME Michael Maehaka Water Resources Section, MME Susan Sulu Ministry of Planning and Aid Coordination Edna Ramoau Ministry of Planning and Aid Coordination Lyn Legua Ministry of Planning and Aid Coordination Peter Ministry of Planning and Aid Coordination Tamara Hartwich Ministry of Finance Myrella Ministry of Finance Francis Nori Ministry of Works and Infrastructure LorimaTuke Solomon Islands Red Cross Mikaela Gronqvift European Union Stefan Knollmayer AusAID Riby Tupiti AusAID Sally McKenzie AusAID Rebecca Spratt NZAID 30 Reducing the Risk of Disasters and Climate Variability in the Pacific Islands references and Select Bibliography ADB (Asian Development Bank). 2007. Solomon Islands: Country Environmental Analysis. ADB. 2004. Pacific Region Environmental Strategy 2005-2009. GEF (Global Environment Facility). 2008. GEF-Pacific Alliance for Sustainability--Program Framework. GEF/UNDP. 2006. Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change Program - Solomon Islands, Report of In-Country Consultations. Geoscience Australia. 2008. A Natural Hazard Risk Assessment of the Asia Pacific Region. Government of Solomon Islands. 2008. Policy Statements--Coalition for National Unity and Rural Advancement Government, January 2008. Government of Solomon Islands. 2008. Budget Strategy and Outlook--Solomon Islands Budget 2008. Government of Solomon Islands. 2008. Corporate Plan--Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Meteorology. Government of Solomon Islands. 2001. Solomon Islands Initial National Communication under the UNFCCC--Submitted 2004. Government of Solomon Islands. 1998. Environment Act 1998. Government of Solomon Islands. 1989. National Disaster Council Act (Chapter 148). Government of Solomon Islands. 1987. National Disaster Plan. SOPAC. 2007. Integrated Water Resources Management in Pacific Island Countries- A Synopsis--and related Country Diagnostic Reports. World Bank. 2006. Not If but When--Adapting to Natural Hazards in the Pacific Islands Region--A Policy Note. Washington, D.C. east Asia and the Pacific region The World Bank 1818 H St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20433 http://www.worldbank.org/eap Special thanks and appreciation are extended to the partners* who support GFDRR's work to protect livelihood and improve lives: ACP Secretariat, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, european Commission, Finland, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, united Kingdom, united States, UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, and the World Bank. *In bold, GFDRR Donors