Joint National Action Plan for Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Adaptation (JNAP) 2011- 2015.

The Joint National Action Plan forDisaster Risk Management and Climate Change Adaptation (JNAP) provides a roadmap to guide the Cook Islands in implementing Priority 5 ('Resilience') of the National Sustainable Development Plan 2011 -2015. The Goal is to achieve 'a resilient and sustainable Cook Islands where the people are resilient to disasters and climate change and able to achieve sustainable livelihoods. The text consists of 5 Parts as follows: Disaster Risk and Climate Change in the cook Islands (I); Building a Culture of Preparedness (II); Policy Context (III); Joint National Action Plan for Disaster Risk management and Climate change Adaptation (IV); Summary Matrix (V); Implementation Programme (VI).
The Plan identifies 5 Strategic Areas. Area 1 deals with Governance. To this end the following strategic actions shall be taken: Strengthen and consolidate policies, plans and institutions for Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change CPPO DRM and CCA Adaptation; Financing mechanisms are in place to support DRM andCCA; Strengthen capacity of government agencies, Island Councils and NGOs; Strengthen DRM andCCA planning at the local level EMCI /CPPO; Effective comprehensive legal framework for the facilitation and regulation of international disaster and climate change risk response is in place. Area 2 concentrates on Monitoring. The following actions shall be taken: Monitor and assess geophysical and climate change risks and incorporate into development planning; Strengthen coordination of hazard and climate change risk information management. Area 3 introduces Disaster Management. For this the following strategic actions are proposed: Maintain high levels of community awareness and preparedness at all times; Enhance national capacity to provide early warnings for slow and fast -onset hazards; Develop disaster response plans and conduct operational exercises for relevant agencies; Build a dedicated National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC); Strengthen capacity for search and rescue on sea and on land; Strengthen capacity to provide emergency health care at times of disasters; Ensure that the public has access to safe places during cyclones and that vulnerable groups are catered for; Strengthen capacity to manage hazardous substances importation, use and disposal including responses to hazardous substances. Area 4 is informed by Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation. To achieve this goal the following actions shall be taken: Strengthen climate -proof key infrastructure in the coastal zone; Promote integrated management of the coastal zone to build resilience to hazards including climate change and sea level rise; Strengthen and adapt energy transportation, supply and storage systems in the outer islands to reduce risks to the communities; Promote long term water security for all islands to cope with prolonged dry spells, and longer term climate impacts; Strengthen sanitation infrastructure to address health and environmental risks on all islands, including risks related to climate change.