25 September 2024, Port Vila Vanuatu – Pacific communities bear the brunt of extreme weather events like tropical cyclones, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, drought and flash floods, amongst other natural disasters.
The people of Vanuatu, who have just successfully hosted the Seventh Pacific Meteorological Council Meeting (PMC-7) in Port Vila, have seen the worst of these extreme weather events in recent years.
For example, Vanuatu was hit by two severe tropical cyclones within 48 hours last year, resulting in an unprecedented series of climate events devastating the Pacific nation. Tropical Cyclone Judy struck central and northern Vanuatu first, reaching Category 4 intensity. Category 5 Severe Tropical Cyclone Kevin followed a more westerly trajectory, smashing Efate island and the islands of Vanuatu’s southernmost province, Tafea. The nation also experienced major flooding during the two events.
A key part of Vanuatu’s response was the Government’s ability, through the Vanuatu Meteorology Geohazard Department’s (VMGD), and other relevant first responders, to communicate forecasts, warnings and critical messages using communication channels available to them, including the Media.
In the lead up to PMC-7, a partnership between the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) highlighted the importance of building media relationships to improve the provision of these communication services to save lives. A two-day Media and Communications Mana Class on 11-12 September 2024 at the Warwick Le Lagon Conference Room, attended by members of the Pacific Meteorology, Hydrology and Disaster Management communities provided the opportunity to do this.
Guided by the theme “Empowering effective communication for a resilient Pacific,” the training was facilitated by SPREP’s Communications and Outreach Unit, with support from media partners, Radio New Zealand International and Pasifika TV.
“The Media is a key part of efforts to ensure these forecasts, warnings and critical key messages reach the last mile so that Pacific communities are able to better anticipate and respond extreme weather events and associated risks,” said Mr Salesa Nihmei, SPREP's Meteorology and Climatology Adviser. “Communications is critical. Our work is about the communities we serve, communities that don't necessarily speak our language and so we have to find ways to ensure they understand our messages. To do this, we need to work with the messengers - and in most countries, that is the Media.”
The media and communications training has been a constant part of the Pacific Meteorological Council (PMC) meetings since its inception. Mr Nihmei added that while some Pacific Met Directors have attended similar trainings, he noted: “The world is constantly changing, and so are media tools and media platforms. As a community of practise, the Met and Hydrology teams must keep up with the changes, innovations and trends.”
The first day of the training focussed on why good communication is important for building resiliency, knowing how to build relationships and work with the mainstream media, communications for all and writing relevant and interesting news content. Manager of Radio New Zealand Pacific, Ms Moera Tuilaepa Taylor, delivered a session on the Network’s Cyclone Watch Service for the Pacific Islands region, and how Pacific countries can tap into it for assistance – where and when needed.
The second day zeroed in on social media – including Canva designs, disaster communications and interviewing techniques, how to deal with TV, radio and print interview requests. Mr Shane Orsmby, Chief Sales Manager of Pasifika TV, delivered a session on the Pac-Hub, highlighting the role this could play during times of hazards and disasters, and how this would benefit Pacific countries.
Speaking on behalf of WMO, Mr John Harding, Head of the Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems (CREWS) Initiative Secretariat, said the work to build the capacity of members of the Pacific Meteorology, Hydrology and Disaster Management communities to communicate their messages effectively is very important.
“Meteorological agencies are on the front line of the climate crisis. They provide the science and the all-important predictions of extreme events,” he said. “The ability to communicate clearly through different channels and relate to the media has become a key function of these institutions.”
The training was attended by more than 50 participants from the Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Republic of Marshall Islands, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
Members of the Vanuatu Society for People with Disability were also present, in an effort to encourage Communication for All.