The Republic of Palau broke ground Wednesday on a new humanitarian warehouse designed for faster nationally led disaster response.
Once completed, it will store essential supplies such as shelter kits, hygiene items, solar lights, kitchen sets and more, ready to be deployed as early as possible to those affected by disaster.
The groundbreaking took place as regional planners met for the second Pacific Disaster Risk Management Ministers’ Meeting in Palau. Members of Palau’s government and traditional leaders joined together with delegation heads and program officials during the groundbreaking.
“This warehouse is part of our continued effort to ensure disaster response teams in Palau are equipped to quickly help our people in times of disaster, without having to wait for supplies to arrive from overseas,” said Palau Vice President Raynold B. Oilouch, chairman of Palau’s National Emergency Committee. “By investing in preparedness and self-reliance, we ensure that help is available when our communities need it most, strengthening our resilience for the future.”
The warehouse will be built under the Pacific Humanitarian Warehousing Program, an initiative implemented by the Pacific Community and funded by the governments of Australia, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
It will be managed by Palau’s National Emergency Management Office.