Building resilient communities

New Zealand Red Cross works with communities to identify where they’re vulnerable to shocks or potential disasters. We support these communities to build on their existing capabilities, so people become stronger and better able to cope with disasters. We help communities reduce disaster risk in the Pacific and Timor-Leste. In Timor-Leste, we provide financial and technical support to a community based disaster risk reduction programme. The programme empowers communities through awareness raising, early warning systems for disasters and flood protection activities. We help communities diversify livelihoods and improve water supplies and sanitation, as well as develop first aid skills and community health.

• More information about our work in Timor-Leste (IFRC)

Kids in Timor-Leste gain disaster preparedness skills from Red Cross programmes.

New Zealand Red Cross partners with Red Cross societies in the Pacific, to support vulnerable communities across 12 countries. Together, we’re developing early warning systems for disasters and strengthening emergency communication systems. We are also contributing to a regional plan for improving disaster recovery and adapting to climate change.

Commencing in 2016 we are contributing to a Building Resilient Communities programme in Fiji, Tuvalu and Kiribati. These countries are at increased risk of disasters like cyclones, flooding and drought. They are especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

After Tropical Cyclone Pam, Red Cross planted vegetation on the foreshores in Tuvalu, to help reduce flooding from high tides.