Koror, Palau – A new National Emergency Operations Center in Palau will enhance the country’s capacity for disaster preparedness and response.

A retrofit of the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC), which was initiated in October 2020 has been completed with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Office in Fiji, through the Japan funded Enhancing Disaster and Climate Resilience (EDCR) project. 

With furnished conference and communications/operation rooms, the NEOC will allow the National Emergency Committee (NEC) members to efficiently coordinate emergency responses. A 3.5-ton truck was also handed over to the National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) in support of emergency operations.

The major functions of the NEOC include:

·       Providing the overall command, control and coordination in response to national disasters

·       Gathering, collating and disseminating information

·       Serving as point of contact for the media through the Public Information Officer

·       Preparing and disseminating situation reports

·       Facilitating damage and needs assessment processes

·       Maintaining effective communication and information systems

·       Coordinating all government, non-government, private, and regional donor assistance

·       Managing the logistic arrangements of the immediate and medium-term relief supplies

At a hand-over ceremony held in NEMO today, Honorable J. Uduch Sengebau Senior, Vice President and Minister of State said, “As the Chair of NEC, I truly appreciate the funding assistance of our friends from Japan and extend our appreciation to UNDP for its tireless efforts to ensure that the new NEOC meets all functions of a command center for Palau’s use during natural disasters and national emergencies.”

His Excellency KARASAWA Akira, Ambassador of Japan to Palau stated that a retrofit of the facility and the provision of furniture will be a great addition for NEC members to maintain their productivity and efficiency. In addition, he asked the NEC members to take good care of the retrofitted building and new furniture for a long period of time

Aleyda Valdes, Country Project Coordinator for the UNDP EDCR Project conveyed the message on behalf of Mr. Levan Bouadze, Resident Representative of UNDP Pacific in Fiji, highlighting that the support to the fully furnished office spaces is timely for NEC members. She said this will help them effectively respond to emergency situations as well as adapt to the new ways of working during and after COVID-19.

The retrofit work has been carried out by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Industries & Commerce, Bureau of Public Works, and the total value of the support provided amounts to approximately US$ 264,000.

It is the fifth handover of the UNDP ECDR Project to the country, which is supported by the Government of Japan in partnership with the Government of Palau.

The UNDP EDCR project, since its commencement in 2019, has provided equipment strategic to Palau’s disaster risk management. The project aims to strengthen gender sensitive disaster communication and climate monitoring systems; enhance gender sensitive national and state disaster responder’s readiness capacity; and enhance community disaster resilience through improved water resource management and integrated gender and social inclusion awareness.

For more information, please contact:

Aleyda Valdes, Country Project Coordinator, Palau, Enhancing Disaster and Climate Resilience in the Republic of Palau through Improved Disaster Preparedness and Infrastructure, UNDP Pacific Office, Tel: +(680) 488 3394, Mob: +(680) 775 3433; Email: aleyda.valdes@undp.org

Summer Lee, Partnership, Donor Liaison and Communications Specialist, Gov4Res Project, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji, Mob: +(679) 866 2945, Email: summer.lee@undp.org