Australia and New Zealand support disaster preparedness in the Pacific and Timor-Leste

Australia and New Zealand will invest a combined AUD42.6 million (NZD47.5 million) in the Pacific Humanitarian Warehousing Program, to assist Pacific and Timor-Leste partners prepare for and respond to disasters.

The program supports 14 Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste to store and manage disaster relief supplies required in the first 48 hours after a humanitarian emergency, which is the critical window to save lives.

The program is a response to Pacific priorities and is driven by Pacific governments.

Strengthening local resilience, building the region’s expertise and supply chains and empowering community-driven preparedness and response actions, are at the heart of this program.

It will include supplies for the whole community, and address the needs of women, children and people with disabilities, who are often most affected by disasters.

The increasing frequency of natural disasters in the Pacific, compounded by the impacts of climate change, means there is a pressing need for this initiative.

Quotes attributable to New Zealand’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Rt Hon Winston Peters:

“As we know all too well, the Pacific is exposed to a wide range of natural hazards and other risks – including cyclones, earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, volcanoes and disease. These disasters can lead to immense humanitarian need.

“This initiative places Pacific countries at the centre of responses. It will give countries access to humanitarian relief supplies within 48 hours of a disaster to help meet immediate needs following an emergency.”

Quotes attributable to Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong:

“The Pacific Humanitarian Warehousing Program is an excellent Pacific led initiative, and Australia and New Zealand are proud to back it to help ensure there is easily accessible support and supplies on the ground for communities when disaster strikes.

“This is a practical demonstration of how we are working together to address our shared challenges.”