Following the announcement of the launch of the Rarotonga Safety Shelter Programme (RSSP), communities around Rarotonga are actively engaging with the Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) to learn more about the programme.

In December 2024, CIIC, in collaboration with Emergency Management Cook Islands (EMCI), a division in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), announced the roll out of the Rarotonga Safety Shelter Programme.

With the news being announced during the Christmas period, many halls’ executive committees around Rarotonga have kicked off the New Year with plans to participate in the programme.

Tatari Mitchell-Ngatoko, community member and secretary of the Matavera Catholic Church, said their parish was surprised to receive the news that they were eligible to apply for such a fund.

“After meeting with CIIC we are preparing ourselves to take part in this programme with the blessings of our community, and formalise our Hall as a place of refuge and shelter during times of disaster. This is something our faith propels us to do.”

As the frequency and intensity of natural disasters continue to rise in the Pacific region due to climate change, the importance of safety shelters has never been more urgent.

The Cook Islands alongside other Pacific Island nations, with our small populations and remote locations, face unique challenges in preparing for natural disasters.

In response to this critical need, EMCI’s disaster risk management includes partnering with community groups, and encompassing the full spectrum of the population in planning activities.

John Strickland, director of EMCI, said: “It is important that we act in service of our people, those living in Rarotonga, and those visiting too. The RSSP is non-discriminatory in its reach, we plan and prepare for our locals, our visitors, and all the demographics within our society.”

To reduce disaster impacts for vulnerable groups, EMCI staff actively identify and record high risk groups in each village, where they are located, and the appropriate strategies to support them.

In addition, close collaboration with other Government agencies such as Cook Islands Tourism ensures the views and needs of all stakeholders are accounted for.

According to Allan Jensen, chief executive officer for CIIC, “Partnerships between Government and community groups allow for more efficient use of resources.”

“The role of community groups goes beyond just the physical buildings, they have established networks and are usually the first responders in times of crisis. Collaborating in this way leads to better long-term outcomes for all.”

Established in 2021, the RSSP supports remediation works to community buildings designated or identified as suitable cyclone shelters, to become compliant with Cook Islands Building Code Standards.

The programme aims to ensure that a significant portion of Rarotonga’s population has access to safe shelters during a declared state of disaster or state of emergency.

Elizabeth Wright-Koteka, Secretary of Infrastructure Cook Islands, says ICI is a key partner in the delivery of this programme ensuring the safety shelters are compliant with the relevant building code standards.

“Our team inspects the quality of works undertaken, issuing a Certificate of Compliance following due diligent checks, in turn, individuals can have confidence in the structure they are sheltering in.”

The executives of all eligible community halls have been contacted by CIIC, any queries regarding the programme can be directed to ciic.rsspcoordinator@cookislands.gov.ck.

• CIIC/RSSP