The Anglican Church is set to amplify its initiatives on climate resilience and disaster preparedness throughout the Pacific region via a comprehensive vulnerability assessment program tailored for communities. The Community Integrated Vulnerability Assessment (CIVA) program adopts a community-driven framework aimed at assisting villages in comprehensively understanding and managing the risks associated with natural disasters.
CIVA encompasses a range of support actions designed to enhance safety and preparedness, including the fortification of evacuation centers, ensuring reliable access to food and water during emergencies, coordinating supplies, and prioritizing assistance for vulnerable populations both before and after disasters strike.
This innovative initiative was among the key topics discussed at the Diocese of Polynesia (Anglican) Synod, held at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Suva, Fiji, which serves Anglicans from various nations, including the Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga.
The CIVA program has garnered international acclaim, showcasing youth-led efforts from the Diocese of Polynesia and Anglican groups in Tonga and Fiji in reports to the United Nations Human Rights Council. These initiatives are highlighted as exemplary models of effective, locally driven climate resilience.
Backed by Anglican Missions and diocesan development teams, the CIVA program reaffirms the Church’s dedication to protecting Pacific communities, fostering climate adaptation, and reinforcing local leadership in disaster risk reduction. The program equips Anglican parishes and local communities with essential tools to evaluate their environmental and social vulnerabilities. By utilizing digital mapping technology alongside community-led consultations, CIVA identifies hazard zones, vulnerable households, evacuation routes, infrastructure deficiencies, and social support networks.
Trained parish leaders and youth engage with mapping tools such as QGIS to create nuanced vulnerability maps. Through talanoa sessions and community workshops, the program captures vital insights into the socio-cultural and household-level risks that are frequently overlooked. This comprehensive data is instrumental in crafting practical Resilience Action Plans that cater to the specific needs of each community, ultimately fostering a hopeful and resilient future for Pacific Islanders facing climate challenges.