The United Nations Island Communities Resilience Addendum Score Card, developed over twelve months by twelve committee members including experts like Professor Novak, Professor Ian Eddie, Associate Professor Andrew Levula, Dr Litiana Turner, Brigadier General Eric Tan, and Ms Kenzie McLeod, focuses on the unique climate change challenges that Small Island Developing States (SIDS) such as Fiji Islands, Tonga, Samoa, Timor-Leste, Jamaica and the Bahamas encounter in order to mitigate, prepare, respond, and adapt to current and future climate crises and natural disasters.

Structured around the ‘Ten Essentials for Making Cities Resilient,’ the scorecard addresses the disproportionate challenges stemming from SIDS’ small size, physical isolation, economic and institutional weakness, and exposure to disasters. It aims to assess their disaster resilience and prioritise actions, integrating Indigenous knowledge and community ties into policymaking to exploit characteristics that can limit vulnerabilities and develop innovative solutions.

A significant challenge encountered by these low-lying archipelago island groups is the persistent financial difficulties faced by local communities, which highlights the critical need for tailored insurance products. Market vendors, farmers, and fishermen, who rely on traditional sources of income, are particularly vulnerable to economic instability, especially in the face of natural disasters. These industries form the backbone of the islands’ economies, yet they often lack access to financial protection. Recognizing this gap, UNCDF has played a pivotal role in addressing these vulnerabilities by introducing micro and parametric insurance solutions. These innovative insurance products are specifically designed to cater to the unique needs of these key income-generating groups, offering them crucial financial support both during emergencies and in the aftermath of natural disasters. This approach not only provides a safety net but also promotes long-term resilience in these communities. The practitioner and community-led research project conducted at this workshop aims to refine the scorecard approach, focusing on assessing the current resilience of SIDS and identifying actions to strengthen their resilience. This research is pivotal in addressing the specific needs, challenges, and strengths of these communities, providing local stakeholders with the necessary resources and knowledge to respond optimally.

By organising the workshop in Fiji, we also allow the inclusion of local response partners and better integration of indigenous knowledge and particularities. This process is central to overcoming the lack of data on SIDS’ disaster resilience and creating a comprehensive framework that effectively places the stakeholders of Fiji, in all their diversity, at the centre of these initiatives.

Sponsors such as UNCDF have come on board to support the importance of innovation and technology in disaster resilience. The UNCDF microinsurance program is the initiative of Mr. Krishnan Narasimhan, Deputy Programme Manager at PFIP, is dedicated to driving initiatives that are focused on creating sustainable microinsurance and micropension products for the underbanked populations that are part of the overall economic system.