Concerns over El Nino impacts in the Pacific region during the planet's warmest half-year year on record between January to June 2016 is leading to better preparedness for disaster response.

The severe effects of the last El Nino were discussed by a panel discussion and awareness session in Suva, Fiji, on 19 July, hosted by the Pacific Humanitarian Team (PHT) and the United Nations.

The session was aimed at preparing PHT members to effectively coordinate humanitarian responses to disaster affected people in the Pacific.

More than 60 million people around the world were affected by the 2015/16 El Nino episode, said Dr Corrine Capuano. the World Health Organization representative and acting UN Resident Coordinator.

“In the Northern Pacific - the Republic of Marshall Islands, Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia - were severely affected and declared a state of emergency during the 2015/2016 El Nino period, while Vanuatu, Fiji and Papua New Guinea also experienced El Nino-related events.”

One of the events in early 2016 included the strongest tropical cyclone in the Southern Hemisphere on record when Cyclone Winston caused havoc in the Pacific, with parts of Fiji bearing the brunt of its full force.

To aid countries affected by El Nino, the UN Secretary General’s Special Envoys on El Nino and Climate released a guiding document ‘Preventing El Nino Southern Oscillation Episodes from Becoming a Disaster – a Blueprint for Action’ in December 2016.

Dr Capuano said the ‘Blueprint is offered as a tool to be used by any country’ but stressed that ‘national leadership by government’ is ‘the single most important ingredient for success’.

She said a range of national and international stakeholders such as civil society, NGOs, the UN system, donors, international finance institutions, research and academic bodies and the private sector must also all play a part in implementing the blueprint.

The PHT was established by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in 2008, to help disaster-affected people across the Pacific region. Its members include UN agencies, Red Cross, regional and bilateral organizations, national and international non-governmental organizations, faith-based and community based organizations, and donor partners. 

Earlier this year, Tonga’s Meteorology Department reported the possibility of another El Nino occurring due to the sea temperature being warmer than usual and drier conditions. However last month, it said there was little indication of El Nino developing and that it had stalled.