17 March 2011: The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) announced an initiative to assist French Polynesia in mitigating the risk of natural disasters. European Development funds will provide the EUR1.085 million needed for the initiative.

Activities under the initiative will focus on reinforcing the safety of populations in two vulnerable areas of French Polynesia. In the Marquesas archipelago, which is exposed to tsunamis, and the Tuamotu archipelago, which experiences cyclonic waves.

The initiative is part of a larger regional project aimed at reducing disaster risk in Pacific Overseas Countries and Territories (New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna and Pitcairn Islands), managed by SPC’s Applied Geoscience and Technology Division (SOPAC). [SPC Press Release]