Palau disaster management reference handbook (2023)

This Palau disaster management reference handbook focuses on Palau's disaster management framework and disaster risk reduction strategies. It also provides an overview of the country's government, geography, demographics, social cultural practices, and history of disasters. In the face of climate change and long-standing hazards, Palau has focused on reducing the risk of disasters at all levels. The Palau Climate Policy has been finalized and is used as a reference for national-, state-, and community-level planning.

Efforts are also focused by the National Emergency Committee and the National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) on developing State Disaster Risk Management Plans that also adopt disaster risk reduction (DRR) processes. The Palau National Disaster Risk Management Framework 2010 (NDRMF) (amended in 2016) outlines the institutional arrangements for coordination and collaboration in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from the impact of any hazard to Palau. It also focuses on the strengthening of national disaster risk management structures and mechanisms to incorporate climate change adaptation. It is hoped that this handbook will serve as an initial source of information for individuals preparing for disaster management, response, and risk reduction activities or immediate deployment with Palauan partner responders in a crisis.