Recognizing that climate and disaster risks are the greatest existential threats to the Pacific, USAID implements a robust climate, environment, and disaster assistance portfolio in the region. USAID strengthens resilience by building the capacity of Pacific Island countries to address climate and disaster impacts, and strengthening the critical resources and systems needed to make communities more resilient. USAID has helped Pacific Islands countries access over $500 million in climate financing to strengthen their resilience to extreme weather events and adverse environmental changes. USAID also partners with the Pacific Islands to counter illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing by strengthening sustainable community-driven fisheries management and linking it to broader national and regional level fisheries protection. USAID supports disaster preparedness across the region and disaster relief and reconstruction in Republic of the Marshall Islands and Federated States of Micronesia. Additionally, USAID provides grants to local civil society organizations and private-sector enterprises across the Pacific to advance locally-designed and -led development solutions through the Pacific American Fund, including building resilience to disasters and climate risks. USAID also promotes sustainable natural resource management in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, which hold the region’s largest forests that communities depend on for livelihoods and protection from disasters. USAID further increases access to affordable and climate smart energy in Papua New Guinea, which has the lowest energy access in the region.
