PCRIC and UNICEF Collaborate to Strengthen Disaster Protection for Pacific Communities

PCRIC recently met with representatives from UNICEF in Suva to explore opportunities for collaboration in enhancing disaster risk protection across the Pacific region. The PCRIC team engaged with Emergency Specialist, Mr. Diego Lopez and Social Policy Specialist, Ms. Seruwaia Cagilaba, to discuss mutual priorities and innovative approaches to disaster resilience.

During the meeting, PCRIC’s Chief Risk Officer, Mr. Richard Poulter who joined in via Zoom, presented the Company’s parametric insurance products and services, and outlined its existing country-level policies.

Discussions then turned to UNICEF’s Social Protection and Climate Change initiatives, including the Today and Tomorrow Initiative. This programme is the world’s first integrated climate and disaster risk finance mechanism designed specifically for children and young people in Fiji, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

A key focus of the dialogue was the potential to extend disaster risk protection to schools in Vanuatu. Both parties discussed ways to address immediate disaster risks (Today) while building long-term resilience (Tomorrow). PCRIC also shared details of its macro-level insurance framework, noting that payouts typically go to Pacific Finance Ministries.

Further consultations will be needed to consider its relevance to the education sector, including identifying the appropriate policyholder (either UNICEF, the Ministry of Education, or schools) alongside defining fund usage, school coverage and locations.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to draft an MoU to guide future action, with both parties aiming to formalise the partnership in the days ahead.