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Introduction

The DRF Strategy Monitoring Tool provides information and tracks progress of national DRF strategies and policies across the Pacific region. This introduction summarizes the regional approach to the development and implementation of DRF strategies, with the dashboard providing a status overview of national DRF strategies across the region. Individual pages for countries provide further detail, including a snapshot of the national DRF strategy or policy, relevant documents, organizational arrangements, and implementation details. Additional country pages will be added as new national DRF strategies are developed.

In August 2022, the Forum Economic Ministers Meeting requested the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) to work closely with partner organisations and develop a ‘roadmap’ that could provide clarity to all countries about the measures each must undertake to strengthen financial protection against disasters. This is summarized in the Pacific Regional Disaster Risk Financing Roadmap and Guideline for Developing National Disaster Risk Financing Strategies. In order to support effective DRF at the national level, the roadmap identifies five “priorities” that Pacific island countries should cover in their reform efforts:

  1. Ensure an inclusive and collaborative approach to DRF, valuing the diversity of views and interests, and embracing those views.
  2. Strengthen the understanding of disaster risk.
  3. Strengthen the understanding of DRF.
  4. Develop and strengthen the enabling environment for DRF.
  5. Develop a strategic plan or policy at the national level to guide DRF.

Pacific Regional DRF Roadmap & Guideline for Developing National DRF Strategies

Author: PIFS
Year: 2023

At the start of a national DRF strategy or policy development process, a DRF Diagnostics is conducted, assessing country frameworks and practices for DRF and identifying gaps and areas for strengthening. The content, depth, and form of such a diagnostic study varies across countries. Building on the assessment findings, priorities and corresponding actions are identified through a participatory process that is tailored to the country needs and preferences. Following DRF strategy approval, the implementation stage commences, supported by regular monitoring and reporting of progress. For all three steps to be successful, the enabling environment is critical. This starts with country leadership and ownership and further comprises conducive institutional arrangements (such as a unit assigned to take the technical lead of the process), anchoring of the DRF strategy within the existing national policy and planning landscape, and adequate technical assistance to provide required specialized expertise and temporarily supplement local capacity.

The DRF TWG of the Pacific Resilience Partnership has been providing support to the process in a coordinated manner across development partners. Building on experiences to date, a regional good practice note is under development as of October 2024 to provide more detailed guidance for the different stages.