Ensuring Food security in the midst of COVID-19 has become a priority across the Pacific, with limited imports increasing the demand for local staples. However, the instinct for survival and self-sufficiency is  resulting in a growing number of individuals looking into the potential of tilapia farming in the Fiji Islands.

This week the Pacific Community (SPC) handed over 350kg vegetable seeds and 400 tissue culture plants to the Fiji Ministry of Agriculture (MOA). The event was part of Pacific Seeds for Life (PS4L) and represented the projects first contribution towards the Fiji Government’s relief efforts for TC Harold and the  global pandemic COVID-19.

https://www.spc.int/updates/news/media-release/2020/05/seeds-handover-to-fiji-government-and-launch-of-new-regional

Some reflections on this years Head of Fisheries Meeting, held virtually under the cloud of COVID-19. 

The arrival of COVID-19 in the Pacific is changing the way the region works. In this edition of the Podcast we hear how SPC is adjusting to the crisis, while ensuring that its core work continues to progress. 

Niue suffered significant damage during cyclone Heta in January 2004, sustaining winds greater than 240km/h, classifying it as a category 4-5 cyclone. The Niue Hospital and dwellings near the shore were damaged as huge waves crossed the cliff line and battered houses, roads and the fuel depot. In response, Niue, with help from the Pacific Community established National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC).

The European Union (EU) has provided EUR 3 million (FJD 7.2 million) to the Pacific Community’s to strengthen health security in the Pacific.

The Public Health Surveillance Network Services to Strengthen Health Security in the Pacific project, which will be led by Pacific Community’s (SPC) Public Health Division, will support regional capacity for surveillance and epidemiology; laboratory services and systems; vector and disease surveillance and control; and risk communication.

Papua New Guinea sits on the 'ring of fire' and has a history of volcanic activity. A volcanic eruption can be devastating to local communities, so the government is working with SPC's Building Safety and Resilience in the Pacific (BSRP) to increase the nations early warning and resilience capacity. Better monitoring systems combined with traditional knowledge are helping to ensure that when the next eruption takes place the people of PNG will be ready. 

The eruption of the Manaro volcano in Vanuatu caught many off guard and forced thousands residents of villages in the area to evacuate.  Vanuatu is now  working to ensure they are better prepared for these types of evacuations in the future, in part through the establishment of a coordination center in Santo.   

While strong public awareness efforts about disaster preparation are underway across the Pacific, how can officials be certain they are reaching the regions most vulnerable populations? Would a 5 year old child know what to do during a disaster? How can a child safeguard themselves before or during a sudden disaster? These are some of the questions the Samoan Government aimed to answer with its early childhood disaster materials for pre-school children and teachers.

Our weekly podcast comes a bit early this week as we mark the end of 16 Days of Activism with a program about how the Solomon Islands is using drama to tackle the issue of domestic violence.