Pacific Island nations are becoming a global example of how community-led and inclusive early warning systems can work – with women leading the way.
With support from the Australian Government, these women-led initiatives are giving communities the tools they need to become more resilient in the face of climate change.

Speaking at the Global Early Warnings for All (EW4ALL) Multi-Stakeholder Forum, Michelle Higelin, Executive Director of ActionAid Australia, commended the Pacific’s efforts.

“We already have a terrific model in the Pacific of driving early warning systems that are inclusive, people-centred, and community-led,” said Ms. Higelin. “Through the Shifting the Power Coalition, Pacific women are leading these systems in partnership with Digicel Pacific and with support from the Australian Government. This is truly enabling women to lead early warning efforts that directly benefit their communities.”

In Vanuatu, local women are playing a vital role in disaster response, especially in ensuring that life-saving information reaches families on time. Flora Vano, Country Manager of ActionAid Vanuatu and a member of the Women in Weather platform under the Woman i Toktok Tugeta Network, highlighted the importance of two-way communication.

“It’s about the flow of information from the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department (VMGD) right down to the communities,” she said. “The Woman Wetem platform was created because women were not receiving accurate warnings before events like Cyclone Pam in 2015. That led to casualties, loss of livelihoods, and economic hardship.”

Ms. Vano emphasized that women are often the first to respond in times of disaster.

“Women are the first responders in most of our communities – they manage, they plan, they care,” she explained. “If we give them the right tools and resources, they can lead disaster preparedness efforts. But we cannot do it alone. We need support from government, the private sector, and all partners to make this work.”

Even though COP29 did not deliver strong outcomes for climate adaptation financing, Ms. Higelin expressed hope for progress at COP31, which will be hosted in the Pacific region.

“This is the right time for Pacific governments to step forward and demand that wealthier nations commit more climate finance to help Small Island Developing States.”

Photo credits: ActionAid Australia