Joining forces for informal settlements in Honiara

ICLEI joined forces with several partner organisations in early September to assist Honiara City Council to plan for disasters and climate change in some of the highest risk settlements in Honiara. These settlements are threatened by frequent flooding, landslides, severe storms, tidal flooding and even tsunamis. ICLEI Oceania and the UN Disaster Office, along with UN Habitat, RMIT University and UN Women, provided training and planning meetings for the newly elected Honiara councillors for working effectively with their village leaders. They will develop local disaster plans and design evacuation routes and centres, early warning systems and community awareness raising and training. ICLEI and UNDRR have funding from the Australian Government for this work while the UN Habitat and RMIT “Climate Resilient Honiara” project is funded by the Adaptation Fund. “By joining forces in our work with Honiara we can ensure that the assistance is well coordinated and targeted at the highest need locations, making it easier for the City Council to concentrate its efforts most effectively,'' said Steve Gawler, Regional Director ICLEI.