The Pacific Disability Forum is currently in Tonga working closely with the UN Capital Development Fund to pilot an insurance project involving persons with disabilities.
This project is to assist persons with disabilities who have suffered huge financial losses in livelihoods from natural disasters in the three target countries – Fiji, Tonga, and Vanuatu.
With the increasing natural disasters affecting the Pacific region and adverse impacts of climate change, the most vulnerable in our communities are facing the full brunt of these catastrophic changes in weather patterns.
During this pilot phase, PDF in partnership with the Organisation of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) at the country level need to conduct Climate Disaster Risk Financing and Literacy training with their respective members before proceeding to the registration and onboarding processes.
In Fiji, there have been 661 persons with disabilities who have been registered and following the October floodings in the Western Division, 202 received $125-$375FJD and this amount was calculated based on the amount of rainfall received in areas where onboarded members reside.
This project is part of the Pacific Insurance Climate Adaptation Programme on improving the financial preparedness and responses of all Pacific Islanders towards climate change and natural disasters.
