Thematic report on local, Indigenous and traditional knowledge for disaster risk reduction in the Pacific

This study captures the progress and challenges in integrating local, Indigenous and traditional knowledge (LITK) and practices for disaster risk reduction (DRR) in the Pacific Island countries and recommendations for future work on how LITK can be used to “build back better” after disasters. 

The inclusion of LITK for risk reduction in national and regional policies has increased in the Pacific Island countries since the adoption of the Sendai Framework. To support their implementation, nature-based solutions should be more strongly considered as a cost-effective way of reducing disaster and climate risk. Capacity development is needed to make better use of LITK, especially among women and youth. Better integration of LTIK into science, technology and innovation is also needed, including in the development of early warning systems, and increased efforts are needed to document and improve access to LITK.