Pacific Island Region. However, in most countries the connection between the national level and c... more Pacific Island Region. However, in most countries the connection between the national level and community levels has been insufficiently addressed to date. The integration of local level disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation into development planning is essential. Here additional efforts are required to reduce disaster risk and enhance effective recovery following major disasters. This paper synthesizes lessons learnt on community resilience in Pacific Island Countries. It discusses case studies of several disaster events from a grass-root level perspective. We find that local-level institutions and networks, both formal and informal, play an important role in people’s agency and interaction. Research at the local level provides insights into how people's lives are affected by natural hazards. It also considers how these hazards add to other challenges people are facing, such as poverty and tenure insecurity. It highlights the importance of social capital for disaster risk reduction as well as disaster recovery and rehabilitation. It also reflects on the importance of people’s own skills and capacities that help them deal with adverse situations. Our findings suggest that in assessing community resilience and devising disaster risk reduction strategies particular attention needs to be given to local land tenure systems, ethnic differentiation, remittances, and safety networks. In conclusion, the paper calls for integrated approaches that link national and local level interventions and that take into consideration that people’s capacities to face the various aspects of climate change and natural hazards may become overstretched when they have to deal with too many and/or too severe challenges at the same time.
Background and AimsMany Pacific people are considering cross‐border mobility in response to the c... more Background and AimsMany Pacific people are considering cross‐border mobility in response to the climate crisis, despite exclusion from international protection frameworks. The ‘Migration with dignity’ concept facilitates immigration within existing laws but without host government support. Through the metaphor of Pacific navigation, we explore the role of dignity in the lives of I‐Kiribati and Tuvaluans in Aotearoa New Zealand.MethodsCombining talanoa (pacific research method) with I‐Kiribati and Tuvaluan community members, alongside critical community psychology and thematic analysis, we depict climate mobility as a wa or vaka moana (ocean‐going canoes) journey.AnalysisParticipants are expert navigators, navigating immigration obstacles to (re)grow their roots in Aotearoa New Zealand before charting a course for future generations to thrive. They draw strength from culture and community to overcome the adversity of precarious living and visa non‐recognition.ConclusionReconceptualising climate mobility through a Pacific lens imagines both dignity and cultural preservation as possible, despite the indignities and limitations of socio‐political systems and protections for climate migrants.
Community, environment and disaster risk management, Nov 9, 2020
This chapter explores the local narration of gendered experience of disasters in two iTaukei (Ind... more This chapter explores the local narration of gendered experience of disasters in two iTaukei (Indigenous Fijian) communities, Votua and Navala, both located in the Ba River catchment, Fiji. The methodology consisted of semi-formal interviews, talanoa, mapping sessions and journal entries from community members in Votua and Navala. Local narratives of post-disaster response and recovery in the aftermath of 2016 Tropical Cyclone Winston showed that women were not perceived as embodying a heightened vulnerability to disasters in comparison to men in either Votua or Navala. Rather perceptions of vulnerability were based on the experiences of those who physically struggled, such as people with disabilities, the elderly and those who had lost their homes. While gender roles and responsibilities underlay perceptions and gender relations, the roles and responsibilities were predominantly perceived as changing over time, either to a more shared sense of responsibilities or a shift from male responsibilities to female. This shift may lay the foundations for future changes in vulnerability and experiences towards disasters.
Cambodia is considered extremely vulnerable to climate change due to high poverty, limited infras... more Cambodia is considered extremely vulnerable to climate change due to high poverty, limited infrastructure, and weak adaptive capacity. Kratie province, in particular, has suffered from climate-induced disasters, including floods, droughts, storms, lightning, and heatwaves. To date, climate change interventions in the province have primarily focused on impacts on agriculture. However, enhancing the climate resilience of micro businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector is also crucial since the provincial economy increasingly depends on the interlinkage between agriculture, tourism and related enterprises. This article examines how climate change has impacted micro businesses in Kratie Town, and how they responded to the impacts. This study is based on semi-structured interviews with micro entrepreneurs randomly selected in the town. Results show that businesses have been predominantly affected by floods and storms. Business exposures and locations, types of business, production and supply chains, and client bases determined different impacts of and responses to these climate-related hazards. Businesses adopted primarily temporary and reactive responses rather than long-term systematic measures. Strengthening adaptive infrastructure, both physical and informational, will improve businesses' capability to prepare for and cope with these disasters.
Pacific Island Region. However, in most countries the connection between the national level and c... more Pacific Island Region. However, in most countries the connection between the national level and community levels has been insufficiently addressed to date. The integration of local level disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation into development planning is essential. Here additional efforts are required to reduce disaster risk and enhance effective recovery following major disasters. This paper synthesizes lessons learnt on community resilience in Pacific Island Countries. It discusses case studies of several disaster events from a grass-root level perspective. We find that local-level institutions and networks, both formal and informal, play an important role in people’s agency and interaction. Research at the local level provides insights into how people's lives are affected by natural hazards. It also considers how these hazards add to other challenges people are facing, such as poverty and tenure insecurity. It highlights the importance of social capital for disaster risk reduction as well as disaster recovery and rehabilitation. It also reflects on the importance of people’s own skills and capacities that help them deal with adverse situations. Our findings suggest that in assessing community resilience and devising disaster risk reduction strategies particular attention needs to be given to local land tenure systems, ethnic differentiation, remittances, and safety networks. In conclusion, the paper calls for integrated approaches that link national and local level interventions and that take into consideration that people’s capacities to face the various aspects of climate change and natural hazards may become overstretched when they have to deal with too many and/or too severe challenges at the same time.
Background and AimsMany Pacific people are considering cross‐border mobility in response to the c... more Background and AimsMany Pacific people are considering cross‐border mobility in response to the climate crisis, despite exclusion from international protection frameworks. The ‘Migration with dignity’ concept facilitates immigration within existing laws but without host government support. Through the metaphor of Pacific navigation, we explore the role of dignity in the lives of I‐Kiribati and Tuvaluans in Aotearoa New Zealand.MethodsCombining talanoa (pacific research method) with I‐Kiribati and Tuvaluan community members, alongside critical community psychology and thematic analysis, we depict climate mobility as a wa or vaka moana (ocean‐going canoes) journey.AnalysisParticipants are expert navigators, navigating immigration obstacles to (re)grow their roots in Aotearoa New Zealand before charting a course for future generations to thrive. They draw strength from culture and community to overcome the adversity of precarious living and visa non‐recognition.ConclusionReconceptualising climate mobility through a Pacific lens imagines both dignity and cultural preservation as possible, despite the indignities and limitations of socio‐political systems and protections for climate migrants.
Community, environment and disaster risk management, Nov 9, 2020
This chapter explores the local narration of gendered experience of disasters in two iTaukei (Ind... more This chapter explores the local narration of gendered experience of disasters in two iTaukei (Indigenous Fijian) communities, Votua and Navala, both located in the Ba River catchment, Fiji. The methodology consisted of semi-formal interviews, talanoa, mapping sessions and journal entries from community members in Votua and Navala. Local narratives of post-disaster response and recovery in the aftermath of 2016 Tropical Cyclone Winston showed that women were not perceived as embodying a heightened vulnerability to disasters in comparison to men in either Votua or Navala. Rather perceptions of vulnerability were based on the experiences of those who physically struggled, such as people with disabilities, the elderly and those who had lost their homes. While gender roles and responsibilities underlay perceptions and gender relations, the roles and responsibilities were predominantly perceived as changing over time, either to a more shared sense of responsibilities or a shift from male responsibilities to female. This shift may lay the foundations for future changes in vulnerability and experiences towards disasters.
Cambodia is considered extremely vulnerable to climate change due to high poverty, limited infras... more Cambodia is considered extremely vulnerable to climate change due to high poverty, limited infrastructure, and weak adaptive capacity. Kratie province, in particular, has suffered from climate-induced disasters, including floods, droughts, storms, lightning, and heatwaves. To date, climate change interventions in the province have primarily focused on impacts on agriculture. However, enhancing the climate resilience of micro businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector is also crucial since the provincial economy increasingly depends on the interlinkage between agriculture, tourism and related enterprises. This article examines how climate change has impacted micro businesses in Kratie Town, and how they responded to the impacts. This study is based on semi-structured interviews with micro entrepreneurs randomly selected in the town. Results show that businesses have been predominantly affected by floods and storms. Business exposures and locations, types of business, production and supply chains, and client bases determined different impacts of and responses to these climate-related hazards. Businesses adopted primarily temporary and reactive responses rather than long-term systematic measures. Strengthening adaptive infrastructure, both physical and informational, will improve businesses' capability to prepare for and cope with these disasters.
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