APEC to ramp up Climate Change preps

APEC member economies have been prompted by natural disaster threats to ramp up preparedness.

And the recent drought in PNG has been identified as a case study among other disasters affecting other APEC economies.

They include the recent Hurricane Mathew in the US which inflicted damage to the Southeastern coast, and a typhoons in the Western Pacific.

The APEC website states that the Asia-Pacific is on the verge of an increase in poverty due to the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters fueled by climate change and their ripple effect on water and food supplies.

“The onslaught of natural disasters across the Asia-Pacific is jeopardising livelihoods and sustainable development on an unprecedented scale,” explained Alberto Lozada, Chief of Peru’s National Institute of Civil Defense, who chaired the APEC Senior Disaster Management Officials’ Forum.

 “The risk of socio-economic dislocation and a rise in poverty is very high in affected areas.” 

There is now a focus on cooperation between governments and the private sector to ensure accessible fresh water and safe, food supplies after a disaster strikes.

Critical data and technical information was exchanged by officials to look into social programs including cash transfers for food assistance platforms, and building more shock resistant food supply chains.. 

“We are working to facilitate public-private partnerships vital to maintaining business continuity and trade across the food industry at all stages of a disaster,” added Kyoko Kondo, Co-Chair of the APEC Emergeny Preparedness Working Group.

“This includes the pursuit of opportunities to strengthen engagement with the transport, energy, financial and telecommunications sectors that could boost resilience and response capabilities." 

 

 

 

Author: 
Cedric Patjole