Among the range of options available to households and communities on Pacific Islands impacted by climate change and related disasters, relocation has emerged as a last resort. A field of research has emerged to better understand “climate mobility,” from migration to other islands, to the relocation of entire communities to higher ground.

The scope of this study is planned community relocation, and how the knowledge, values, and relationships (referred to collectively here as “traditional knowledge”) of community residents in Pacific Islands can and should shape planned community relocation. Read more...

Strengthening resilience for PICs is therefore critical given the highly uncertain future they now face. Targeted investments in resilience building are therefore critical. Priority areas of investment that include the need to strengthen disaster early warning and preparedness, and to mainstream disaster risk and climate change into development planning and financing in PICs.

Recognizing these critical needs, the World Bank provided an opportunity for targeted resilient development and engaged with three PICs; Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI), Tonga, Samoa and two regional organizations; the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and the Pacific Community (SPC) to implement the Pacific Resilience Program (PREP).

The purpose of this report is to capture the key learning from the Tonga DRF experience for the purpose of strengthening awareness of the drivers of comprehensive resilience including that of financial protection.