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Health Adaptation and Action Plan for climate change and disaster risks in Pacific Island Countries

Please note: As of 1 July 2025, the New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science (PHF Science) is the new name for the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR). Research and reports published prior to this date may reference the organisation’s former name.

Summary

In order to maintain and improve health now and for future generations, countries need to build resilient health systems to protect people, particularly the most vulnerable, from the health risks related to natural hazards, disaster events and climate change. ESR's work in the Pacific has revealed, first-hand, some of the barriers required to overcome natural and climate-related risks to health. Health Adaptation and Action Plan for climate change and disaster risks in Pacific Island countries (HAAP-PIC) is a framework tool developed from this for use in the Pacific. The tool was first piloted in July 2018, in the Kingdom of Tonga and led by the Tongan Ministry of Health.

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