Located within the Pacific Ring of Fire, the Republic of Vanuatu remains one of the world’s most disaster-prone nations. Its exposure to frequent tropical cyclones, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and coastal flooding continues to threaten lives and livelihoods. The December 2024 Port Vila earthquake, one of the most devastating in recent history, claimed 14 lives, displaced over 1,000 people, and caused an estimated US$197 million in direct damages — nearly 17% of the country’s GDP. This came on the heels of three major cyclones in 2023, leaving the nation in a near-constant state of recovery.

Vanuatu’s Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction Policy (2022–2030) outlines its resilience strategy, but the socioeconomic toll remains high. With a GDP per capita growth forecast of just 2.0% in 2025 and a poverty rate estimated at 34.9%, rural communities dependent on agriculture, tourism, and fisheries are especially vulnerable.

The telecommunications sector, dominated by Vodafone Vanuatu and Digicel, has made strides in expanding mobile coverage through the Universal Access Project. However, the 2024 earthquake exposed a critical weakness: Vanuatu’s reliance on a single undersea cable (ICN1), which was disabled for 10 days due to infrastructure damage. In response, the government and private sector are advancing the TAMTAM SMART cable project — the world’s first cable integrating seismic and environmental sensors — to connect Vanuatu with New Caledonia and enhance both connectivity and disaster monitoring.
 

Contact details for the Vanuatu National Disaster Management Office:​

• Website: www.ndmo.gov.vu
• Telephone: ​+678-22699 / +678-33366
• Email: ndmo@vanuatu.gov.vu

In 2016, the National Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (NETC) was established in Vanuatu as a national coordination mechanism for emergency telecommunications in Vanuatu. The lead of the NETC is the Office of the Government CIO.

The ETC is focused on preparedness activities in Vanuatu and nearby Pacific Island countries under its Pacific Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) project, lead by WFP.

As a Pacific Island nation comprising over 300 islands, Fiji faces significant climate change challenges, including rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and increasingly severe tropical cyclones. While not as low-lying as atoll nations, many of Fiji’s coastal communities and infrastructure remain highly vulnerable to climate-related hazards. These threats pose serious risks to food security, freshwater availability, and the resilience of national infrastructure.

Fiji is already experiencing the impacts of climate change through more frequent and intense extreme weather events, such as cyclones, flooding, and prolonged droughts. These events disrupt agriculture, fisheries, and supply chains, particularly in remote and maritime communities, exacerbating food insecurity and economic vulnerability. In response, Fiji has developed a comprehensive policy framework to address climate change and disaster risk. The National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and the Climate Change Act 2021 provide strategic direction for building resilience through nature-based solutions, climate-resilient infrastructure, and sustainable resource management. Fiji’s leadership in international climate diplomacy underscores its commitment to global cooperation and the urgent need for climate finance and technical support.

Telecommunications infrastructure in Fiji is advancing rapidly in 2025, with major investments in both submarine and terrestrial fibre networks. Telecom Fiji, in partnership with Google, is constructing a high-capacity terrestrial fibre optic link connecting the Vatuwaqa and Natadola cable landing stations, forming a critical part of the Pacific Connect initiative to enhance regional connectivity and resilience. In the north, the Savusavu to Labasa Fibre Project has been completed, creating a backbone network across Vanua Levu that significantly improves speed and reliability while reducing dependence on microwave links. These developments are part of Telecom Fiji’s five-year fibre investment strategy, aimed at future-proofing the nation’s digital infrastructure and bridging the digital divide by extending services to remote communities like Saivou Village. Fiji is also emerging as a regional connectivity hub, with the Bulikula and Tabua subsea cables landing at key points and integrated into the national network, supporting the country’s ambitions for digital transformation and economic growth.

The National Emergency Telecommunications Coordination lead is the Department of Communications, while the National Disaster Risk Management Office (NDRMO) leads all emergency situations.

Contact details and social media channels for the Fiji National Disaster Risk Management Office (NDRMO):

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/FijiNDMO/
• Twitter: @FijiGov_RMDNDM
• Website: www.ndmo.gov.fj
• Phone: +679-3319250

The ETC is focused on preparedness activities in Fiji and nearby Pacific Island countries under its Pacific Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) project, lead by WFP.

Samoa – officially the Independent State of Samoa – is an island nation in Polynesia comprising two main islands (Upolu and Savai’i), two smaller inhabited islands (Manono and Apolima), and six uninhabited islets. As of mid-2025, Samoa’s population is estimated at 219,306, with 16.3% (approximately 35,747 people) residing in the urban capital of Apia. The country is divided into 11 administrative divisions, governed under a unitary parliamentary democracy.

Samoa’s economy is classified as developing, with agriculture as a primary sector. Key cash crops include bananas, taro, and coconuts, which contribute significantly to export earnings. Subsistence farming remains vital for food security. The tourism sector continues to grow, generating revenue and employment, while fishing and light manufacturing also contribute to the national income.

Samoa’s disaster preparedness and response efforts are coordinated by the Disaster Management Office (DMO) under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), operating from the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) in Tuana’imato. The DMO works closely with government agencies, civil society, and communities to strengthen national resilience. The legal framework is anchored in the Disaster and Emergency Management Act 2007, which outlines protocols for disaster planning, emergency declarations, and inter-agency coordination. Strategic guidance is provided by the National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) 2017–2020, which promotes a multi-sectoral approach to prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery, and the National Action Plan for Disaster Risk Management (NAP) 2017–2021, which operationalizes the NDMP and integrates disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation across 14 sectors. Both plans are currently under review to align with evolving risks and international frameworks.

National Emergency Telecommunications Coordination Lead: Office of the Regulator (OOTR)
National Disaster Management Lead: Samoa Disaster Management Office (DMO)

Contact details and social media channels for the Samoa Disaster Management Office (DMO):

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/DMOSamoa/
• Twitter: twitter.com/DMO_Samoa
• Website: https://www.mnre.gov.ws/about-us/divisions/disaster-management-office/
• Email: dmosamoa@gmail.com

The ETC is focused on preparedness activities in Samoa and nearby Pacific Island countries under its Pacific Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) project, led by WFP.

The Solomon Islands, a nation of nearly 1,000 islands in the southwestern Pacific, remains highly vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters. With many communities located in low-lying coastal areas, the country faces increasing threats from sea-level rise, coastal erosion, and saltwater intrusion, which endanger freshwater resources, food production, and critical infrastructure. The country is also exposed to frequent tropical cyclones, heavy rainfall, flooding, and geophysical hazards such as earthquakes and tsunamis, which disproportionately affect rural and remote communities with limited access to services.

To address these challenges, the Solomon Islands Government has adopted the National Climate Change Policy (2023–2032) and the National Disaster Risk Financing Strategy (2024–2027). These frameworks emphasize climate-resilient development, disaster risk reduction, and financial preparedness. The Climate Change Policy promotes adaptation, mitigation, and loss and damage response, while the Financing Strategy focuses on strengthening institutional capacity, fiscal risk assessment, and access to multilateral climate finance.

Telecommunications infrastructure is undergoing a major upgrade through the Solomon Islands National Broadband Infrastructure Project (SINBIP). Led by Huawei and Solomon Tower Limited (STL), the project aims to construct 161 mobile towers by the end of 2026, with 38 sites expected to be completed by the end of 2025. These towers are being strategically placed across the country, including remote areas like Russell Islands and Choiseul Province, to expand mobile and internet access for education, healthcare, and public services.

The SINBIP rollout is supported by a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model and includes green energy solutions, VSAT and microwave backhaul, and revenue-sharing agreements with Solomon Telekom. The infrastructure will also support the full utilization of the country’s undersea fibre-optic cable and enable future services such as AI-driven meteorological systems and e-Government platforms.

National Emergency Telecommunications Coordination Lead: Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM)
National Disaster Management Lead: National Disaster Management Office (NDMO)
 

Contact details and social media channels for the Solomon Islands National Disaster Management Office (NDMO):

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/sineocndc
• Website: www.ndmo.gov.sb
• Email (Communications Officer): SNasiu@ndmo.gov.sb
• Phone: +677-27937 / Fax: +677-27060

The ETC is focused on preparedness activities in Solomon Islands and nearby Pacific Island countries under its Pacific Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) project, lead by WFP.

The Kingdom of Tonga, an archipelago of 169 islands in the South Pacific, remains highly vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters. With many islands lying just a few meters above sea level, Tonga faces escalating threats from sea-level rise, coastal erosion, and saltwater intrusion, which jeopardize freshwater supplies, agricultural productivity, and coastal infrastructure. On Tongatapu, the most populous island, permanent losses under a 1.0m sea-level rise scenario could reach 25% of land area, with projections indicating up to 2 meters of sea-level rise by 2150..

Tonga is also located in a seismically active zone, making it prone to earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic activity, in addition to climate-related hazards such as cyclones, droughts, and flooding. These overlapping risks pose serious challenges to food security, livelihoods, and the resilience of communities, particularly in the outer islands.
To strengthen its climate resilience, Tonga launched the Coastal Resilience Project (2025–2032), a $23.9 million initiative funded by the Green Climate Fund and implemented by UNDP and the government. It focuses on coastal protection, climate-informed planning, and community-based adaptation. This effort aligns with Tonga’s broader policy framework, including the JNAP2, Climate Change Policy, and the Disaster Risk Management Act and Policy, which promote proactive and integrated disaster governance.

Telecommunications infrastructure in Tonga is undergoing a major upgrade in 2025 with the construction of a second international undersea cable, a 383-kilometre branch of the Hawaiki Transpacific Cable, connecting Tongatapu to Vava’u and ultimately to Fiji. This project, supported by the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP), aims to provide secure, resilient, and climate-proof connectivity, especially after Tonga’s existing cables were severely damaged by the 2022 Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha’apai eruption and subsequent earthquakes

National coordination of emergency telecommunications is led by the Department of Communications of the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC), working closely with the National Disaster Risk Management Office (NDRMO) to ensure timely and coordinated disaster response across the country.

National Emergency Telecommunications Coordination Lead: Department of Communications, Ministry of MEIDECC
National Disaster Management Lead: National Disaster Risk Management Office (NDRMO)

The contact details of the Tonga NEMO are:

• Phone: +676-26340
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/NEMOTONGA/

The ETC is focussed on preparedness activities in Tonga and nearby Pacific Island countries under its Pacific Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) project, lead by WFP.

The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), a low-lying atoll nation in the central Pacific, faces existential threats from climate change. Accelerating sea-level rise is causing frequent tidal flooding, coastal erosion, and saltwater contamination of freshwater lenses, jeopardizing food and water security, infrastructure, and public health. Coral reef degradation and ocean warming are disrupting fisheries and coastal protection, while rising temperatures and stronger storms increase health risks and damage homes and schools.

To confront these challenges, RMI adopted its National Adaptation Plan (NAP) in October 2023, developed with support from the World Bank under the Pacific Resilience Program II (PREP II). The NAP outlines a long-term resilience pathway through 2150, integrating climate adaptation into national policies and development goals. It emphasizes elevating infrastructure, protecting freshwater resources, and strengthening community-based planning. The plan was showcased at COP28 and is recognized globally as a model for inclusive, gender-sensitive, and locally driven climate action.

Telecommunications in RMI are anchored by a mix of 2G/4G LTE mobile networks in urban centers like Majuro and Ebeye, and HF/VHF radio systems in outer atolls. The PREP II project is expanding emergency communications by deploying a nationwide radio network, aiming to connect all inhabited islands by the end of 2025. This includes upgraded HF/VHF systems and early warning capabilities critical for disaster response, education, and health services. RMI’s internet backbone relies on the HANTRU-1 submarine cable, with redundancy planned through the East Micronesia Cable and Central Pacific Cable projects. In 2022, the government liberalized the telecom sector, ending the monopoly of the National Telecommunications Authority (NTA). Starlink was approved and achieved nationwide availability by mid-2025, offering speeds above 50 Mbps. As of January 2025, 65.7% of the population are internet users, and 107% mobile penetration has been recorded, reflecting multiple SIM ownership.

National Emergency Telecommunications Coordination Lead: National Telecommunications Authority (NTA)
National Disaster Management Lead: National Disaster Management Office (NDMO)
 

The ETC is not activated in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). The ETC is focused on preparedness activities in Pacific Island countries under its Pacific Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) project, lead by WFP.

The FSM, a nation of 607 islands spread across the western Pacific, is acutely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and natural hazards. Rising sea levels,  typhoons, and saltwater intrusion are already threatening housing, freshwater supplies, agriculture, and coastal infrastructure. Coral reef degradation, driven by ocean warming and acidification, is undermining fisheries that are vital to the national economy and food security. These risks are especially severe for outer island communities, where relocation and adaptation are becoming urgent priorities.

To address these challenges, FSM is implementing its National Adaptation Plan (NAP), supported by the Green Climate Fund and coordinated by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). The NAP process is identifying long-term adaptation needs and strategies, with a focus on climate-resilient infrastructure, sustainable land use, and community-based planning.

Telecommunications infrastructure in FSM is being significantly enhanced through the East Micronesia Cable System (EMCS), a joint initiative by the United States, Australia, and Japan. This new undersea cable will connect Kosrae and Pohnpei to Nauru and Kiribati, providing FSM with faster, more reliable, and secure internet access. The project will reduce reliance on satellite services, improve access to digital government services, and support economic development across the islands.

Responsibilities for coordinating National Emergency Telecommunications fall under the Department of Transportation, Communications & Infrastructure, while National Disaster Management is led by the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Emergency Management (DECEM).
 

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) website states that "Palau is an island nation of the Micronesian group of islands in the northern Pacific with a population of roughly 20,000. Palau receives substantial assistance from the United States through the Compact of Free Association. Palau's economy is highly reliant on tourism and services, with tourism accounting for more than 20% of gross domestic product (GDP) and services representing 77%.

The ICT sector is widely recognized as an enabler of economic growth, social stability and development. Analysis has demonstrated that increased access to ICT, particularly broadband internet services, helps to deliver improved social services such as health and education, as well as banking among others. It brings efficiency and reduces the cost of such services and in turn enables an environment conducive to private sector investments.

At present, Palau relies entirely on geo-stationary satellite links for internet connectivity. The high cost and limited international bandwidth restricts internet penetration. Moreover, the technical limitations of capacity and the delay associated with such satellite based connectivity severely limit the quality of the service. As an interim solution Palau and FSM telecom providers have separately contracted for a five-year 150 megabit (MB) per second service from a medium earth orbit satellite broadband service starting end-2014. Once the submarine cable system is operational the satellite system will complement the more reliable cable system providing back-up in case of an interruption." The current estimated date for the physical completion of the submarine cable landing station in Palau is 30 September 2018.

The ETC is focussed on preparedness activities in Pacific Island countries under its Pacific Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) project, lead by WFP. The Pacific ETC intends to conduct an emergency ICT assessment in Palau through close consultation with national stakeholders.

The ETC is not activated in Kiribati. The ETC is focused on preparedness activities in Pacific Island countries under its Pacific Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) project, lead by WFP.

Lying at only three to four meters above sea level, the Republic of Kiribati is one of the world’s most exposed countries to extreme climate change and sea-level rise, posing existential threats to food security, freshwater resources, and national infrastructure. The low-lying atoll nation faces increasing challenges from coastal erosion to saltwater intrusion, which severely impact agricultural production and exacerbate food insecurity. More frequent and intense extreme weather events, including droughts and king tides, disrupt essential supply chains and food security across Kiribati’s 33 dispersed coral atolls.

In response, the Kiribati Joint Implementation Plan for Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management (KJIP)  and Climate Change Policy  outline a strategic path towards adaptation and resilience, emphasizing coastal protection, sustainable water management, and climate-resilient agriculture. These policies reflect Kiribati's proactive stance in the face of overwhelming odds, highlighting the urgent need for global cooperation, partnership and support to safeguard its future.

Telecommunications infrastructure in Kiribati is expanding rapidly in 2025, driven by strategic investments in submarine cable systems and domestic fibre networks. The East Micronesia Cable System (EMCS), funded by Australia, Japan, and the USA, will connect South Tarawa to Nauru, Kosrae, and onward to Guam, providing resilient international connectivity. In parallel, the Kiritimati Cable Project will link Kiritimati Island to the Southern Cross NEXT cable via a submarine spur, replacing its reliance on satellite internet. Domestically, the government is building a fibre-optic backbone network in South Tarawa to connect public institutions and support private sector services, with BwebwerikiNet Limited (BNL) managing the infrastructure. These developments are part of a broader national strategy to bridge the digital divide and improve service delivery across Kiribati’s widely dispersed islands.

Responsibility for coordinating National Emergency Telecommunications efforts falls under the Ministry of Information, Communications, and Transport (MICT), under the coordination of the National Disaster Management Office.

Kiribati is categorised by the United Nations as both a ‘Small Island Developing State’ (SIDS) and a ‘Least Developed Country’ (LDC).

For NDMO contacts, visit the Kiribati country page on the Pacific Climate Change portal. 

Tuvalu, one of the world’s smallest and most remote nations, comprises nine low-lying atolls and reef islands scattered across the central Pacific Ocean. With an average elevation of just 1.83 meters above sea level, the country remains acutely vulnerable to climate change impacts—particularly sea-level rise, coastal erosion, and saltwater intrusion. According to NASA, sea levels around Tuvalu have risen by 14 cm over the past 30 years and are projected to rise by another 19 cm by 2050. Without additional protections, Tuvalu could experience over 100 days of flooding annually by mid-century.

To address these existential threats, the Government of Tuvalu, in partnership with UNDP and the Green Climate Fund, is implementing the Tuvalu Coastal Adaptation Project (TCAP). This seven-year initiative, concluding in 2025, is enhancing coastal resilience across three of Tuvalu’s inhabited islands—Funafuti, Nanumea, and Nanumaga. The project includes beach nourishment, sea walls, and eco-system-based solutions to protect 2,780 meters of high-value coastline, benefiting over 60% of the population.

Meanwhile, Tuvalu is undergoing a digital transformation. The Tuvalu Vaka Cable, the nation’s first international undersea telecommunications cable, landed in Funafuti in late 2024. Developed by the Tuvalu Telecommunications Corporation (TTC) in collaboration with Google and funded by partners including Australia, Japan, and the United States, the cable connects Tuvalu to the Bulikula cable system. This 668-kilometer infrastructure leap is expected to provide reliable internet access to over 10,000 people and significantly improve digital inclusion.
Complementing this, TTC continues to deliver high-speed broadband via Kacific satellite services, operational since 2020. In 2025, the government is also preparing to officially license Starlink, which is already being used unofficially in outer islands. These developments are part of Tuvalu’s broader ICT strategy, including the National Broadband Plan and the Digital Nation project, which aims to digitally preserve Tuvalu’s land, culture, and heritage in response to climate threats.

National Emergency Telecommunications Coordination Lead: Pacific Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC)
National Disaster Management Lead: National Disaster Management Office (NDMO)

Contact details for the Tuvalu National Disaster Management Office - Tel: ​+688-20815 / +688-901691.

For further information, visit the Tuvalu country page on the Pacific Climate Change portal.