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Post Disaster Needs Assessment of the 2015-2016 Drought

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Post Disaster Needs Assessment of the 2015-2016 Drought Republic of the Marshall Islands Post Disaster Needs Assessment of the 2015-2016 Drought February 2017 Published by: Republic of the Marshall Islands Lead Authors: Noud Leenders (UNDP), Paula Holland and Paul Taylor (SPC) Design: Sailesh Kumar Sen, SPC Front Cover Photo: Water sources in Majuro. Photo by Marshall Island Journal Republic of the Marshall Islands Republic of the Marshall Islands Post Disaster Needs Assessment of the 2015-2016 Drought February 2017 Republic of the Marshall Islands i Supported and facilitated by With financial support by ACP-EU Natural Disaster Risk Reduction Program An initiative of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group, funded by the European Union and managed by GFDRR Technical input by ii Republic of the Marshall Islands Office of the President Republic of the Marshall Islands FOREWORD The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) is extremely vulnerable to climate change and natural hazards. The country is experiencing damaging effects from climate change and seeing more frequent and intense events, such as drought, floods and swells, and tropical cyclones and storms. The recent drought of 2015–2016 resulted in the national government having to declare a state of disaster with an estimated 53,158 persons across the RMI affected by the severe drought conditions. This post-disaster needs assessment (PDNA) was not only the first for the Marshall Islands, but also the first for the Northern Pacific and the first assessment of an atoll country worldwide. It will form the basis of the drought recovery strategy to be managed by the Government of RMI and will guide recovery of the key sectors affected by the drought. The PDNA shows that the total economic losses caused by the drought have an estimated value of USD 4.9 million, with agriculture being the single most affected individual sector. What the assessment also found was that there was a significant decline in the quality of life as a direct result of the drought conditions. The drought and prior natural disaster events clearly underpin the need for climate change and disaster risk management to be better understood, better planned, and better coordinated and funded at all levels – locally, nationally, regionally and internationally. Building resilience is key and the results of the PDNA will help RMI voice and prioritize its drought recovery actions, adjust national planning and offer guidance on financing. On behalf of President Heine and the government and people of RMI, I wish to take this opportunity to thank our development and donor partners for their commitment and support to RMI in the development of this valuable assessment and the very first drought PDNA in the Pacific. In particular, our sincere gratitude to the European Union, the Pacific Community, the United Nations Development Program, the Office of the Chief Secretary and the National Disaster Management Office for their assiduous effort in the making of this PDNA. It was a great privilege to have Mr Roberto Jovel, senior international consultant for the World Bank, lead the PDNA process in our country. I would be remiss if I did not also acknowledge the hard work and commitment of the various Marshallese men and women from the nation’s capital and the outer islands, who dedicated their time and effort throughout the process of the PDNA. A special acknowledgement to the Joint Unit for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Adaptation at the Office of the Chief Secretary for providing the secretariat to the PDNA and backstopping support to the national team. The findings and recommended strategies in this document present a brilliant beginning, upon which the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands in a collective effort with civil society, private sector, and international partners can undertake the important task of recovery planning and implementation. Mattlan Zackhras Minister-in-Assistance to the President Republic of the Marshall Islands iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The post-disaster needs assessment (PDNA) was an extensive and labour-intensive exercise that would not have been possible without the dedication and support of several ministries and departments of the Government of Republic of the Marshall Islands in providing the time and expertise of their staff. Their drive and dedication underpins this government-led approach to disaster risk management and is a model for improved coordination for a more resilient Republic of the Marshall Islands. Special acknowledgement is extended to the Minister-in-Assistance to the President, the Honourable Mattlan Zachras for the leadership, support and cooperation of his office throughout the assessment. The PDNA team is grateful for the technical and financial support of the European Union, the Pacific Community (SPC), the United Nations and the World Bank Group, which provided the overall guidance for the PDNA process. The PDNA greatly benefitted from the dedicated involvement and valuable contribution of the following national representatives and technical officers: Kino S. Kabua (Deputy Chief Secretary), Antonio Eliu (Director – NDMO), Stephen Lepton, Thomas Maddison, Billy Edmond, Samuel Batti Lanwi Jr., Benedict Yamamura, Lajkit Rufus, Mackneil Abraham (Team Leader), Ransen L. Hansen Jr, Edler Anzures, Yoland Jurelang, Albert J. Ben, Herson Aloka, Francyne Wase- Jacklick, Aina Garstang, Randon Kaneko, Gee Leong Bing, Hanlee Term, Tricia Marie Taklu Menke, George George, Tuvuki Ketedromo, Halston deBrum, Paul Paul, Linus Kebos, Karness Kusto, Melvin Aliven, Steven Wakefield, Brooke Takala, Jessica Zebedee, Rose Minor, Cheryl English, Genna Tiobech-Hensen, Keyoka P. Kabua, Neilan Kaminaga, Angela Saunders, Tim Langrine, Kennedy Clanry, Lee Jacklick, Terry Keju, Paul Alee, Allison Nashion, Len Lenja, Junior Peter, Maybelline Bing, Jennifer Tseng, Daniel Timothy, Lita Flood, Herbert Sibok, Anthony Peren, Jennifer deBrum, Melanie Vicente and Bianca Samuel, Roberto Jovel (Consultant, World Bank), Paul Taylor (Manager, SPC Disaster Reduction Programme), Nicole Daniels (SPC editor), Sailesh Kumar Sen (SPC graphic artist), Dominique Blariaux (agricultural specialist), Mat Thame (water and sanitation specialist), Kim Robertson (SPC gender statistician), Asha Kambon (gender specialist), Edward Bernard (International Labour Organisation, ILO), Julian Schweitzer (Consultant, ILO), Paula Holland (Manager, Natural Resources Governance, SPC, and PDNA coordinator), Noud Leenders (Recovery Advisor, United Nations Development Programme, and PDNA coordinator). We also gratefully acknowledge the 150+ people who shared their life experience of the 2016 drought across the Marshall Islands: Lalera Erakrik, Ruthann Luis, Rosilla Isaiah, Hellma Anjuron, Kalora Benjimon, Junior deBrum, Motlok Pirsin, Paul Jibke, Hermon John, Stan Hazzard, Dally Jibke, Kioni Emel, Frederick Capelle, Andy Myena, Tania C, Bira H, Mary C, Wain T, Justina K, Winnie C, Sholla A, Wertha C, Rosa Capelle, Hemity deBrum, Patricia de Brum, Melinda Akkie, Telbi Bano, Jenny Hazzard, Cornella Hazzard, Hinna Hazzard, Rollenda Lokejok, Wendy de Brum, Agatha Emel, Kioni Emel, Ejmi Isaiah, Lino Tabu, Rison Isaiah, Hackney Emel, Mami Anuntak, Juamle Samuel, Rohanna Lomwe, Rise Anuntok, Mary Hitchfield, Roselina Benjamin, Garlami Luis, Selina Neirok Leem, Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner, Malynne Joseph, Winona J. Kisino, Canse Cho Carmel, Brandon Nathan, Alik Balos, William Kaisha Jr., Shima Seese, Tanner Smith, Rozena Tonyokwe, Nate Jellum, Jacky Patrick, Mackzine, Fritzad Reiher, Peter Macwhaleng, Bill Labija, Jackson Elcar, Florence Ned, Matlina Swain, Ruthann Korean, Stella M. Jack, Elias Jack, Joanna Ria, Marcellina Alik, Roseping Naishes, Wine Kobar, Beij Aki, Ricky R, Jilley Isaac, Namo H Abon, Roseann Jonju, Hezline Ria, Wanita, Altha, Jemitha R, Jackline, Jalet, Katrina M., Arina Felix, Aina Joash, Helisa Ceaser, Emile Lakjon, Matty Emos, Rosieland Riklon, Mesoheison, Jeremiah, Samlee, Jeffery, Robson John, Talleri, Erwina, Aljina, Selina William, Jessica William, Roslen Tare, Hannah William, Shinella Binat, Sandy Jiwirak, Merina Lat, Christy Jiwirak, Susanna Jiwirak, Biket Mewa, Amy Jibbwa, Makak Jeor, Motak Jonatha, Laurieline Jonatha, Milla Jetnol, Teliana Julal, Heitty Martin, Cathlin Hiram, Neiko Toka, Belitha Jorbal, Neinok Carol William, Hannah William, Elizabeth Lojan, Margarete Jiwirak, Monica Loran, Mishiko Lasmus, Herine jibon, Bilum Laijak, Helthy Lometo, Moje Kelen, Rebka Leijak, Sherlynn Lajon, Berlinda Chutaro, Neijoke L., Jostrokrok Lorokon Jacob, Nirok Lorok, Junior Samuel, Joonathan Lang, Davi Jacob, Kora Loran, Niestle Lometo, Carrtas Tarwoj, Shsete Erickdril, Emelia Labu, Tearmeu Jerwan, Hina L. Lorennz, Kyle Johnny, Nathan Nathan, Daline Kisino, Vanessa Dan, Cheryl Langbata, Christopher Bejang, Moseu Iosia, and Junny Abal. iv Republic of the Marshall Islands TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .......................................................................................................................IV ABBREViations ...................................................................................................................................5 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .........................................................................................................................6 1 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................13 1.1 Overview of the 2015–2016 drought in Marshall Islands ................................................................................14
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