Four Years of Partnership: DFAT, IOM, PSS and RMI Leadership

Since early 2012, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has been working closely with the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), particularly the Office of the Chief Secretary (OCS), National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Cluster and Public School System (PSS) to implement disaster preparedness and response activities, with funding provided by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

World Bank announces fifth season of insurance initiative and new delivery facility

WASHINGTON, November 2, 2016 – The World Bank has announced the start of the fifth round of Pacific Catastrophe Risk Assessment and Financing Initiative (PCRAFI) Insurance, along with the recent establishment of a new Cook Islands-based insurance company, called the PCRAFI Facility, which will deliver this innovative and competitive insurance.

KEY UPDATES

• Countries and territories reporting mosquito-borne Zika virus infections for the first time in the past week:

o None

• Countries and territories reporting microcephaly and other central nervous system (CNS) malformations potentially associated with Zika virus infection for the first time in the past week:

o Bolivia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Viet Nam

KEY UPDATES

• Countries and territories reporting mosquito-borne Zika virus infections for the first time in the past week:

o None

• Countries and territories reporting microcephaly and other central nervous system (CNS) malformations potentially associated with Zika virus infection for the first time in the past week:

o None

• Countries and territories reporting Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) cases associated with Zika virus infection for the first time in the past week:

o None

A Drop in the Bucket: Jerry cans bring safe water to Marshallese

Republic of the Marshall Islands—Martha is no stranger to disaster. In 2013, Martha and her family survived the RMI drought. In 2014, Martha’s outer island home on Bekarej, Arno burned down displacing Martha, her husband, and their children. A year and half later, Martha was faced with a familiar challenge- an El Niño induced drought that NOAA has reported to be “the strongest… in recorded history.”

SUVA, 26 October 2016 – Pacific countries have pledged to step up efforts to deal with the challenge posed by climate change and the threat of disasters, in order to ensure that their development is sustainable.

In a joint declaration wrapping up the three-day Pacific Platform for Disaster Risk Management, hosted by Fiji, the 17 countries reaffirmed their commitment to build a stronger and more resilient region in the face of rising climate impacts.

Foreword

WHO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH EMERGENCIES PROGRAMME

KEY UPDATES

• Countries and territories reporting mosquito-borne Zika virus infections for the first time in the past week: o None

• Countries and territories reporting microcephaly and other central nervous system (CNS) malformations potentially associated with Zika virus infection for the first time in the past week: o Grenada

• Countries and territories reporting Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) cases associated with Zika virus infection for the first time in the past week: o None

High demand for housing in the Marshall Islands is forcing more people to live closer to flood prone areas.

The Marshall's atoll Majuro was hit by stormy high tides this week which damaged seawalls and buildings close to the lagoon shore.

Read more on Radio New Zealand International.

KEY UPDATES

 Countries and territories reporting mosquito-borne Zika virus infections for the first time in the past week: o None

 Countries and territories reporting microcephaly and other central nervous system (CNS) malformations potentially associated with Zika virus infection for the first time in the past week: o None

 Countries and territories reporting Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) cases associated with Zika virus infection for the first time in the past week: o None

Recurrent earthquakes, floods, typhoons, and volcanoes present significant challenges to vulnerable populations in the East Asia and the Pacific (EAP) region. Some countries also face civil unrest and associated humanitarian impacts, as well as limited government capacity to respond to disasters. Between FY 2007 and FY 2016, USAID’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/ OFDA) and USAID’s Office of Food for Peace (USAID/ FFP) provided humanitarian assistance in response to a diverse range of natural and complex emergencies in the region.

Executive Summary

KEY UPDATES

• Countries and territories reporting mosquito-borne Zika virus infections for the first time in the past week:

o None

• The investigation by the Ministry of Public Health of Thailand confirmed two cases of Zika-related microcephaly on 30 September 2016. This is the first time that Zikarelated microcephaly cases have been confirmed in Southeast Asia. The mothers reported no travel history to areas outside of Thailand.

The use of Cash Transfer Programming (CTP) to provide humanitarian assistance so that people may access the goods and services they need before, during and following a crisis has been gaining momentum over the past decade.

Despite the considerable use of cash and vouchers by government and non-state actors in major emergencies in Asia, the use of CTP in humanitarian response in the South Pacific islands has been relatively small-scale, and limited to only a few countries.

The latest Caritas State of the Environment Report for Oceania has found widespread hunger and thirst across the Pacific in 2015/2016. The report Hungry for justice, thirsty for change shows extreme weather events, combined with ongoing climatic changes, are contributing to a severe loss of food and water supplies in the region.

KEY UPDATES

• Countries and territories reporting mosquito-borne Zika virus infections for the first time in the past week:

• None - Mosquito-borne Zika infections acquired by travelers returning from the Maldives were reported by Germany and Spain in the past week. Prior Zika cases were reported in January 2016.