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More than just warehouses
Introducing the Pacific Humanitarian Warehousing Program
In an era where climate change is intensifying both the frequency and severity of disasters across our region, the Pacific is taking bold steps to enhance disaster preparedness. The Pacific Humanitarian Warehousing Program (PHWP) represents this commitment to action, supporting 15* participating countries in strengthening their disaster response capabilities.
This Pacific-led initiative, implemented by the Pacific Community (SPC) and supported by an Infrastructure Specialist Unit (ISU), brings together a coalition of partners, including the Governments of Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. Additional support is anticipated from France, Germany, Japan, and the United States, fostering genuine regional collaboration.
Empowering Pacific Response
Over its eight-year duration from 2024 to 2031, PHWP aims to enhance the region’s disaster preparedness through a network of climate-resilient warehouses, supply chain management capacity and customised stock management system. These systems strategically position humanitarian supplies, enabling governments to respond swiftly in the critical first 24 to 48 hours following a disaster. At its heart, PHWP is about empowering Pacific nations to take the reins in their disaster preparedness and response.
How PHWP Works
The program operates through two complementary units working in harmony.
SPC's Program Management Office works directly with participating countries to develop systems tailored to their specific needs. This involves extensive consultation with civil society, the Red Cross movement, UN agencies, and local humanitarian actors, training local teams, and facilitating knowledge sharing among the region.
The Infrastructure Specialist Unit focuses on delivering sustainable, disaster-resilient warehousing solutions, tailored to the unique needs, requirements and contexts of each participating country. Expertise within the Infrastructure Specialist Unit team guides the design, construction or refurbishment of warehouses, conducting feasibility assessments, ensuring compliance with local building codes and processes, and prioritising local content and quality project delivery.
Three Priorities of Progress
The program is anchored in three interrelated priorities. Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) focuses on creating inclusive disaster risk management solutions. This includes ensuring women, children, and persons with disabilities have equal access to and can meaningfully participate in disaster preparedness and response. Through GEDSI, we're working to create systems that recognise and respond to the unique perspectives and requirements of all Pacific peoples. Equitable access to relief supplies embodies the humanitarian principle of "Leaving No One Behind.”
Localisation emphasises harnessing local knowledge and resources, ensuring that solutions are contextually appropriate and aligned with the unique circumstances of each nation. It reflects the calls from Pacific Leaders for stronger support of Pacific-led initiatives.
The Greening pillar calls for environmental sustainability by exploring clean energy solutions and responsible procurement practices. This effort highlights the importance of effective humanitarian action while respecting the fragile ecosystems of the Pacific.
From Vision to Reality
Recognising the need for coordinated regional action, PHWP goes beyond national responses to promote collaboration among various stakeholders, including development partners, community groups, the private sector, civil society, and national disaster management offices. This collaborative effort aims to create a more resilient Pacific aligned with the Blue Pacific 2050 Strategy. Pacific Leaders call for greater support of Pacific-led humanitarian assistance and disaster initiatives.
From Plan to Action
With a dedicated technical team now in place, PHWP has visited Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste. These visits have helped shape our implementation approach, ensuring it responds to local contexts while meeting international standards.
Initial implementation is underway in Kiribati, Samoa, and Solomon Islands, selected for their unique readiness, population, geography, and risk profiles. Valuable lessons learnt in these countries will be applied to the remaining 12 countries in the program.
Among PHWP's early achievements is constructing the first humanitarian warehouse in Kiribati, with a groundbreaking expected in December 2024. This facility responds to the severe drought emergency declared in 2021 and will ensure that essential Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) supplies are readily available for future emergencies.
Leading the Way
Leading this initiative is George Beck, a regional development specialist with over 30 years of experience in regional work and a successful track record with SPC programs.
The Pacific Humanitarian Warehousing Program is more than prepositioned supplies and shiny new buildings; it represents an important step toward building a resilient future for Pacific communities, equipping them to handle better the challenges posed by climate change and natural disasters.
