Pacific island countries evaluate disaster plans

Six Pacific island countries are in the process of reviewing progress made on their disaster risk management action plans, reports the Fiji Times.

"Having Pacific island countries participating in the review can strengthen national capacities to self- monitor and evaluate their disaster risk management programs and plans" says Angelika Planitz, head of the UNISDR sub-regional office for the Pacific.

"Too often there is insufficient planning to put in place risk reduction measures before a disaster happens. Early planning will go a long way towards reducing risk," she said.

The results of the progress review will help to improve disaster risk management planning and implementation at national and community levels as well as guide decisions on future priority investments. The national reviews will be formally submitted to the global platform on disaster risk reduction, to take place 8-13 May 2011 in Geneva.