Elenoa Baselala
The region could be better equipped to respond to natural disasters in the future following the signing of an agreement between the Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC) and the Pacific Islands Telecommunication Association.

The two parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Suva last month for regional cooperation and promotion in disaster mitigation and information and communication technology (ICT).

The agreement is important considering the fact that the Pacific region consists of thousands of islands scattered over approximately 54 million square kilometres of ocean, most of which are with very basic communications access or none.

PITA president Maui Sanford said assistance to islands hit by disasters would be through the provision of telecommunication equipment, which should help them stay connected to the rest of the world.

“Most of the time when disasters do happen it is the rural areas that are often hit and most of the time telecommunication is disconnected. The package of assistance includes equipment that will help those affected by disasters to remain connected to the rest of the world,” he said.

SOPAC Director Cristelle Pratt said the MOU was about bringing together organisations with the ability to use technology to help reduce the impact of disasters.

“Man-made and natural disasters are a real threat to Pacific countries and territories and strong technical organisations such as SOPAC and PITA, working in partnership, can provide a greater level of support for communities in disaster risk planning and recovery.

“No country in the region is immune from the devastation of hazards such as tsunamis, cyclones and earthquakes but fortunately, recent technological advances have provided improved early warning systems and the ability to more rapidly communicate key information that could prevent injuries and loss of life,” Pratt said.

PITA’s Sanford, said the MOU will strengthen domestic and regional preparedness and mitigation for disasters.

“The MOU aims to build a cooperative working relationship by sharing technical skills and information on laws, policies, and customs in order to enhance regional telecommunications and information technologies by creating a network of national and regional stakeholders,” Sanford said. 

The MOU will also support the implementation of the Pacific Regional Digital Strategy, endorsed by Forum ICT Ministers in 2006, by improving regional harmonisation and the use of ICT in Pacific countries.

“Although information and communication technologies are critical in helping communities minimise the impact of natural disasters, they are also essential to good governance, improved livelihoods and sustainable development,” Sanford said.

The first assistance package will be located in New Zealand  and should include equipment like a satellite antennae, telephone and fax machine.

Ideally, Sanford says they would also like to install the packages in Fiji, Australia, Guam, Hawaii, New Caledonia and French Polynesia. But this depends on funds.

A package could cost around $100,000 and above and would be flown to islands who would need them.
PITA will also be conducting training of its members on the use of the equipment contained in the packages.