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May 19, 2016

Humanitarian System Needs Reform

Suva – The humanitarian system needs to be reformed so that it strengthens local leadership and community resilience says Pacific Islands Association of NGOs director, Emele Duituturaga.

Duituturaga who will be representing PIANGO at next week’s World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul says she hopes that localization of aid would be prioritised as a summit outcome.

“As a member of the Pacific Regional Steering Group (RSG), PIANGO has been actively involved in gathering responses from the CSO sector that helped shaped the regional consultation outcomes,” she said.

“I am going to Istanbul as part of the RSG to profile the Pacific as a unique region and to lobby for Pacific-specific concerns around the impact of climate-induced disasters on small island states on the frontline of the climate crisis.”

The main message I will be delivering is the urgency of reversing levels of gas emissions which are causing major disasters and more intense storms, hurricanes, cyclones and rising sea levels and creating major humanitarian challenges,” Duituturaga said.

She said she hopes the summit achieves the recognition of the critical role of CSOs and the need to provide support that strengthen local leadership and community resilience.

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