Anticipatory action in the Pacific: Fiji’s Simplified EAP for Tropical Cyclones

The Fiji Red Cross Society recently published its Simplified Early Action Protocol (EAP) for Tropical Cyclones. This is the first time that a National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society from a Small Island Developing State has had an EAP approved.

The Simplified EAP for Tropical Cyclones has pre-agreed funding worth 111,812 Swiss francs (136,181 US dollars / 119,535 euros). If the trigger thresholds are reached, this will be used to implement anticipatory actions to protect up to 2,000 people who are most at risk. Some of this funding is also available for pre-positioning the items needed for these actions, as well as readiness activities such as capacity strengthening.

Acting ahead of a recurring hazard in Fiji

Fiji is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to tropical cyclones. These hazards have significant impacts on the country’s infrastructure, economy and people, often leading to humanitarian suffering and the loss of life. And, as the climate crisis warms the oceans, tropical cyclones are becoming more frequent, intense and destructive.

To address people’s most urgent needs ahead of a cyclone, the Simplified EAP for Tropical Cyclones sets out several actions:

• The Fiji Red Cross Society will disseminate early warning messages to communities through social and mainstream media, reaching at least 2,000 people.
• It will disseminate health alerts and prevention messages that focus on water- and vector-borne diseases, including leptospirosis, typhoid, dengue fever and diarrhoeal disease; these will reach a minimum of 400 households.
• Jerry cans and soap will be distributed to allow households to collect and safely store water in advance of the cyclone; the specific locations for distribution will be determined based on the cyclone’s projected path.
• Safe shelter kits will be distributed to at least 400 households that are identified as being most at risk, and whose homes can still be secured before the cyclone makes landfall. This activity is a collaboration with the International Organization for Migration, which is providing some of the items that will be pre-positioned.

In addition, at least 400 households that depend on fishing and small-scale agriculture for their livelihoods will receive boat-strengthening kits and hermetic bags for storing crops in advance of a cyclone. This activity will be undertaken in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, which will provide the necessary items for pre-positioning.  This partnership stems from efforts by the Fiji Red Cross Society to ensure that the Simplified EAP fully aligns with the national-level framework for this hazard.