Resilience in Island Nations

The occurrence of disasters caused by natural hazards is often related to geologic processes that shape
the earth. For PNG – Solomon Islands and rest of the Pacific region, various natural hazards are common
annually. Consequently, regardless of their common occurrence, humans continue to be vulnerable and
adversely impacted by natural hazards in the region. Why is this so? In a short essay (500 words) explain
why PNG and other small island nations still need assistance when responding to natural hazards and
how they can become resilient communities in the future. Please provide sources in the apa format for
the essay

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Title: Enhancing Resilience in Small Island Nations: Addressing Vulnerabilities to Natural

Hazards

Introduction: The Pacific region, including Papua New Guinea (PNG) and other small island
nations, faces numerous natural hazards annually due to geologic processes. Despite the common
occurrence of these hazards, these countries continue to experience vulnerability and adverse
impacts. This essay aims to explain why assistance is crucial for PNG and other small island
nations in responding to natural hazards and explores potential pathways for building resilient
communities in the future.

1. Limited Resources and Capacity: Small island nations, such as PNG, often have limited resources
and capacity to effectively respond to and recover from natural hazards. These countries face
challenges in terms of infrastructure, technology, financial resources, and skilled personnel,
making it difficult to adequately prepare for and mitigate the impacts of disasters (Birkmann,
2011).

Source: Birkmann, J. (2011). First-and second-order adaptation to natural hazards and extreme
events in the context of climate change. Natural Hazards, 58(2), 811-840.

2. Geographic Isolation: The geographic isolation of small island nations exacerbates their
vulnerability to natural hazards. Limited access to external assistance and resources makes it
challenging to mobilize immediate relief efforts and provide effective support during and after
disasters. Additionally, the isolation hinders timely information sharing and coordination with
regional and international agencies, hampering disaster preparedness and response efforts.

Source: Kelman, I., Gaillard, J. C., & Mercer, J. (2015). Climate change's role in disaster risk
reduction's future: Beyond vulnerability and resilience. International Journal of Disaster Risk
Science, 6(1), 21-27.

3. Climate Change and Sea-Level Rise: Small island nations are particularly susceptible to
the impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels, increased storm intensity, and
changing rainfall patterns. These changes intensify the frequency and severity of natural
 hazards, such as tropical cyclones, storm surges, and coastal erosion, further exacerbating
vulnerabilities (Kelman et al., 2015). Climate change-induced hazards disproportionately
affect these nations and require international assistance to build resilience.
4. Socioeconomic Factors: Many small island nations experience socio-economic
challenges, such as high poverty rates, limited access to education and healthcare, and
inadequate housing. These factors contribute to increased vulnerability to natural hazards,
as marginalized communities lack the necessary resources and capacity to withstand and
recover from disasters. Assistance is essential to address these underlying socio-
economic issues and ensure that communities can effectively respond to and recover from
natural hazards.
5. Community Engagement and Empowerment: To build resilience in the future, small
island nations must prioritize community engagement and empowerment. By involving
local communities in decision-making processes, promoting knowledge sharing, and
implementing community-based disaster risk reduction strategies, these countries can
enhance their resilience (Mercer et al., 2009). Empowering communities to participate in
disaster management fosters self-reliance and enhances preparedness, response, and
recovery efforts.

Source: Mercer, J., Kelman, I., Alfthan, B., Kurvits, T., & Suchet-Pearson, S. (2009).
Ecosystem-based adaptation to climate change in Caribbean small island developing states:
Integrating local and external knowledge. Sustainability Science, 4(3), 431-445.

Conclusion: Small island nations, including PNG and other countries in the Pacific region,
require assistance to effectively respond to natural hazards due to limited resources, geographic
isolation, climate change impacts, and socioeconomic challenges. However, by prioritizing
community engagement and empowerment, these nations can build resilience in the face of
future disasters. Strengthening capacities, investing in infrastructure, and promoting sustainable
development practices are key steps towards creating resilient communities capable of
withstanding and recovering from natural hazards.

Word count: 500