REDUCING VULNERABILITY IN SOUTH PACIFIC SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES: THE INDIGENOUS OR MODERN WAY?

Despite advances in modern disaster mitigation practices, they continually fail to reduce and in some cases actually exacerbate the vulnerability of indigenous groups in South Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to natural hazards. This paper reviews the reasons for increased vulnerability to natural hazards amongst indigenous groups in SIDS and looks at both indigenous and ‘modern ’ or scientific strategies. It is proposed that organisations working within disaster relief and mitigation should look more specifically at indigenous and ‘modern ’ or scientific techniques which when combined could provide effective mitigation against natural hazards. A combined or eclectic approach would increase resilience to natural hazards and reduce sensitivity through enabling indigenous communities to preserve their most effective indigenous practices, which form an important part of their cultural heritage, whilst taking advantage of advanced technology. Such approaches are beginning to be adopted by organisations working in the field of disaster mitigation and relief, though a greater awareness is needed. This paper goes some way towards highlighting specific practices in South Pacific SIDS that should be incorporated into relief and development projects if indigenous knowledge is to be preserved and the vulnerability of indigenous groups to natural hazards reduced