THE World Bank has set aside $US32.29 million ($F67.7m) in grants and credits for the the Pacific resilience program (PREP) from the International Development Association, the World Bank’s fund for the poorest countries.

In addition, the Global Environment Facility special climate change fund to Tonga and PIFS have also provided $US5.48m ($F11.39m) towards the Pacific resilience program while the pilot program for climate resilience under the Pacific Community (SPC) is providing $US5.79m ($F12.03m) in grant funding, and the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery to Tonga has provided $US1.5m ($F3.12m) in grant funding.

Delegates from around the Pacific region came together yesterday to officially launch PREP — a series of projects to strengthen Pacific Island countries’ resilience to natural disasters and climate change — at The Pearl South Pacific Resort & Spa in Pacific Harbour, Navua.

Launched as part of a three-day workshop, participants from Pacific Island governments, regional bodies and project staff members will also receive training to support the implementation of the program, which will include initiatives and activities related to early warning tools, risk reduction investments and financial planning for disasters.

“PREP allows us to work together with our Pacific neighbours, to take a proactive approach to managing natural disasters in the region,” said Siaosi Sovaleni, Deputy Prime Minister of Tonga.

“We are committed to strengthening Tonga against future natural disasters and being a partner in this initiative is an important part of that strategy,” he said.

A partnership between Tonga, Samoa, Marshall Islands, Vanuatu, the Pacific Community (SPC), Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) and the World Bank, PREP uses a regional approach to disaster risk management to share expertise and increase economies of scale.

“History has unfortunately shown just how devastating disasters can be for Pacific Island countries and territories,” said SPC director-general Colin Tukuitonga.