Summary
The Disaster Waste Regional Project played a vital role in strengthening the capacity of Pacific Island countries to manage waste effectively in the aftermath of natural disasters. By providing technical support and coordinated response mechanisms, the project enhanced capacity to rapidly address the complex challenges posed by disaster-generated waste, thereby reducing environmental and health risks while accelerating recovery efforts.
A key achievement of the project is the integration of disaster waste management into the broader Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific (FRDP). This is realised through the establishment of the Disaster Waste Working Group within the Pacific Resilient Partnership Taskforce. This strategic alignment ensures that disaster waste considerations are mainstreamed into national and regional resilience planning and implementation, fostering a collaborative, multi-sectoral approach that strengthens resilience across the region.
The project significantly advanced awareness and capacity building through the facilitation of numerous events and workshops, which brought together stakeholders from governments, communities, and partner organisations to share knowledge, best practices, and innovative approaches to disaster waste management. Such efforts have helped embed disaster waste management as a critical component of disaster preparedness and recovery planning.
Overall, the Disaster Waste Regional Project is instrumental in supporting Pacific Island countries to improve their disaster waste response capabilities, institutionalise sustainable management practices, and build resilient communities prepared to face the increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters in the region.
Highlights
The Regional Disaster Waste Project aimed to build stakeholder capacity and provide practical Pacific-specific resources to enable decision-makers to plan for and respond to disaster waste generation quickly and effectively.
The key activities undertaken in the Regional Disaster Waste Project are outlined in the following table. Further details on the highlights are provided throughout the remainder of this chapter and in the Country project chapters.
Action | Description |
|---|---|
Response Support for Vanuatu following Tropical Cyclone Harold | The response support provided to the government of Vanuatu in the removal of disaster waste from nine rural communities was comprehensive and impactful. This assistance involved coordinating the safe and efficient collection and disposal of disaster waste to reduce health and environmental risks. A key component of the support was the facilitation of awareness sessions focused on proper disaster waste management, educating community members and local officials on best practices to handle waste safely and sustainably. This combined approach helped clear affected areas promptly and strengthened local capacity to manage disaster waste effectively in future events. |
Drafting of Community Disaster Waste Management Plans in Vanuatu | The drafting of the community disaster waste management plans for nine rural communities in Vanuatu marks a significant step towards enhancing local resilience and environmental safety. These plans provide clear guidelines for the management and safe storage of disaster waste by community members, empowering them to take immediate and effective action following a disaster. By creating practical procedures for safe collection, temporary storage, and hazard reduction, the plans empower communities to responsibly handle disaster waste while awaiting further assistance from the national government. Ultimately, this community-led approach supports a more coordinated and sustainable disaster response across Vanuatu’s rural areas. |
Recognition of Disaster Waste Management by the Pacific Resilient Partnership Taskforce | The establishment of the Disaster Waste Technical Working Group under the Pacific Resilient Partnership Taskforce represents a critical advancement in regional coordination for disaster waste management. This working group serves as a dedicated platform to ensure consistent and timely reporting of disaster waste management activities from member countries following natural disasters. By facilitating information sharing, collaboration, and the standardisation of reporting protocols, the group strengthens the region’s capacity to monitor waste impacts, mobilise resources, and implement effective waste management strategies. This collective effort enhances preparedness and resilience across Pacific nations, supporting sustainable recovery and environmental protection in the aftermath of disasters. The establishment of the Disaster Waste Working Group will support the mainstreaming of Disaster Waste management into the implementation of Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific (FRDP) 2017-2030. |
FRDP Indicator on Disaster Waste | Under Goal 3 of the Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific (FRDP), new monitoring indicators are being introduced to strengthen regional and national efforts in reducing waste generated from natural disasters. By capturing data on the volume and types of disaster-related waste, the reuse and recycling rates, and the timeliness of waste removal, these indicators will provide governments and communities with evidence to improve planning, reduce health and environmental risks, and build resilience. Ultimately, the new monitoring approach ensures that disaster recovery processes are more sustainable and aligned with broader resilience and climate adaptation objectives across the Pacific. |
Disaster Awareness at the Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction | As the Asia-Pacific is the most disaster-prone region in the world, the conference provided an important opportunity to review efforts to prevent new and reduce existing risks, and for countries and organisations to make actionable commitments against the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. This is particularly relevant as the APMCDRR occurred during the Midterm Review of the Sendai Framework, providing countries with an opportunity to assess where action must be accelerated. PacWastePlus Programme was given an opportunity to host a partner event on Disaster Waste at the conference and given space at the marketplace to exhibit Disaster Waste resources during the conference. At the Conference, presentations on disaster waste management enabled SPREP to advocate at the highest level for the integration of disaster waste management into disaster risk reduction strategies. Through presentations and discussions, the need to incorporate effective disaster waste management into national and regional disaster preparedness and response plans was emphasised, highlighting how proper waste handling can reduce health risks, environmental damage, and recovery costs. This advocacy helped raise the profile of disaster waste management among policymakers and stakeholders, encouraging stronger commitments and the integration of sustainable waste practices to build more resilient communities across the Asia Pacific region. |
Practitioner’s Guideline on Drafting of National Disaster Waste Management Plan | The Guideline on Drafting a National Disaster Waste Management Plan represents a key step in supporting countries to prepare systematically for managing waste generated during and after disasters. It provides a clear structure for governments to develop tailored plans aligned with existing disaster management and waste management systems, ensuring that roles, responsibilities, and procedures are well-defined before a disaster strikes. By publishing this guideline, countries can access assistance to better equipped to prioritise public health and environmental protection while ensuring that disaster waste management actions are integrated into national disaster preparedness and recovery frameworks. |
Practitioner’s Guideline on Disaster Waste Working Group | The Guideline on Establishing a Disaster Waste Working Group plays a critical role in enabling effective coordination among relevant agencies before, during, and after a disaster. It provides a practical pathway for countries to formalise a multi-stakeholder platform to oversee and support disaster waste preparedness and response, ensuring clear lines of communication, decision-making, and action. This guideline assists countries to build institutional readiness, strengthen collaboration among disaster management and waste management actors, and foster a proactive approach to addressing disaster waste challenges. |
Practitioner’s Guideline on Estimating and Recording Disaster Waste | The Guideline on Estimating and Recording Disaster Waste addresses the crucial need for accurate data to inform disaster waste management planning and operations. It equips countries with a standard methodology for estimating the volume and types of disaster waste likely to be generated and for recording actual waste volumes after a disaster. This guideline enables countries to make evidence-based decisions on waste clearance, disposal, and resource recovery while ensuring transparency and consistency in reporting. Its establishment has strengthened the region’s capacity to assess impacts and monitor the effectiveness of disaster waste management interventions, supporting quicker and safer recovery. |
Development of National Disaster Waste Management Plans in Fiji and Niue | The development of a national disaster waste management plans in Fiji and Niue marks a significant milestone in strengthening each country’s resilience to natural disasters. This plan provides a comprehensive framework that outlines clear roles, responsibilities, and procedures for the effective handling, reduction, and disposal of waste generated from natural disasters across all levels of government and communities. By integrating disaster waste management into broader disaster risk reduction and environmental policies, the plan aims to minimise health hazards, environmental contamination, and logistical challenges during disaster response and recovery. Ultimately, this strategic approach enhances preparedness and capacity to manage disaster waste sustainably, ensuring safer and more efficient recovery efforts in the future. |
Disaster Waste Working Groups in Fiji, Niue, and Vanuatu | The establishment of a Disaster Waste Working Group in Fiji, Niue, and Vanuatu represents a proactive step towards enhancing national coordination and preparedness in managing disaster-generated waste. Incorporating representatives from key government agencies, stakeholders, and technical experts, the working group serves as a central body to guide planning, response, and recovery actions related to disaster waste, supporting the implementation of the national disaster waste management plan by promoting inter-agency collaboration, streamlining communication, and ensuring that roles and responsibilities are clearly defined. |
National Standard on Estimating Disaster Waste Volume for Fiji, Niue, and Tonga | The development of a National Standard on Estimating Disaster Waste Volume for Fiji, Niue, and Tonga provides a vital tool to support effective disaster response and recovery operations. This standard establishes a consistent and systematic methodology for accurately assessing the volume and types of waste generated after a disaster. By enabling more precise planning for waste collection, transportation, and disposal, the standard helps reduce delays, minimise environmental and health risks, and improve resource allocation. It also strengthens data collection and reporting mechanisms, ensuring that national and local authorities are better equipped to make informed decisions and coordinate timely interventions during disaster events. |
Facilitation of Workshop on Disaster Waste Management | The project facilitated numerous workshops aimed at advocating for the integration of waste management, particularly disaster waste, into Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) initiatives. These workshops emphasise the critical need to plan for and properly manage the significant volumes of waste generated during and after natural disasters. Participants were informed of the risks associated with improper disaster waste management, including the potential for environmental degradation, obstruction of relief efforts, and long-term impacts on community health and well-being. By raising awareness and building local capacity, the workshops supported the mainstreaming of disaster waste considerations into broader DRR planning and response frameworks. Workshops on Disaster waste facilitated by the project included:
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Supporting Documents
The following table provides a complete list of all documents developed during the project, including technical guidelines, training materials, reports, and communication resources. Where possible, links to the documents hosted on the SPREP website have been included to enable direct access.
Document | Link |
|---|---|
National disaster Waste Management Plans: Benefits of having disaster waste management plans and planning to Pacific islands | |
Asbestos contaminated materials: Guide for disaster debris removal | https://library.sprep.org/content/asbestos-contaminated-material-guide-disaster-debris-removal |
Managing Disaster Waste: A Guide for Communities | https://library.sprep.org/content/managing-disaster-waste-guide-communities |
Animated Video 1: The Need for a National Disaster Waste Management Plan | https://library.sprep.org/content/need-national-disaster-waste-management-plan |
Animated Video 2: Establishing an Environment Sector Working Group | |
Animated Video 3: How to use Standard Estimation Methodology on calculating disaster waste volume | |
National Disaster Management Office and Applying the Practitioner guideline on this issue | |
Online Workshop on Disaster Waste Management - Activity Report February 2023 | |
Guideline on the Drafting of National Disaster Waste Management Plan & Estimating and Recording Disaster Waste | |
Guideline on Establishing Disaster Waste Working Group |