Who we are
The Pacific Humanitarian Team (PHT) was established in July 2008 with the adoption of a cluster approach for humanitarian coordination in the Pacific region. This approach was formally endorsed in February 2012 by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) principals. According to the PHT Principals Terms of Reference, the PHT is defined as a “network of humanitarian organizations that work together to assist Pacific Island countries in preparing for and responding to disasters.”
The PHT Principals agree to coordinate humanitarian action using a cluster approach, mindful of other regional mechanisms, in support of nationally led disaster management.
National authorities have the primary responsibility for taking care of people affected by disasters and other emergencies in their country. This includes National Disaster Management Offices (NDMOs) taking a leading role in humanitarian action and preparedness for response.
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Mission
The Pacific Humanitarian Team is dedicated to supporting National Disaster Management Offices (NDMOs) across the region in leading and coordinating responders to deliver effective, appropriate, timely, and coordinated disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. These efforts are designed to meet the needs and protect the rights and dignity of all affected communities.
The primary purpose of the Pacific Humanitarian Team is to alleviate the suffering of people in humanitarian disaster situations across the Pacific region. The PHT provides strategic guidance for humanitarian action, prioritizing protection, human rights, and a people-centered, gender-sensitive approach in all responses. This commitment is rooted in the principles of leaving no one behind, doing no harm, and upholding the core humanitarian values of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence.
As we coordinate with other regional mechanisms, our focus is on ensuring that humanitarian principles are respected, while safeguarding the dignity and rights of those affected by disasters. The PHT also emphasizes decentralization to align its actions with local contexts and capacities, thereby enhancing the relevance and effectiveness of its interventions. Recognizing the critical link between disaster response and the continuum of preparedness, resilience building, and development, the PHT ensures that its efforts contribute to long-term sustainability in the region.
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Core functions
Strategic Coordination and Guidance: The PHT provides strategic direction for humanitarian action in the Pacific, ensuring alignment with national priorities, regional frameworks, and global humanitarian principles. Through the PHT Principals' quarterly meetings, the team addresses strategic issues, regional engagements, and the overarching coordination of disaster preparedness and response efforts.
Operational Preparedness and Response: The PHT focuses on enhancing national and regional preparedness for disasters through continuous engagement and coordination at the technical level. The PHT Coordinators Group meets monthly to ensure that preparedness activities are synchronized across sectors and that there is a cohesive and timely response during emergencies, supporting national authorities.
-Reinforcing Partnership and Engagement: The PHT actively fosters relationships with donors, partners, and participation in national and regional mechanisms to ensure a collaborative and well-supported humanitarian environment. This includes systematic engagement at both strategic and technical levels to integrate broader stakeholders and ensure the PHT remains relevant and effective in the Pacific context.
Support to National Authorities: The PHT is committed to supporting National Disaster Management Offices (NDMOs) and other national authorities in leading and coordinating disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. This includes providing technical support, facilitating training, and enhancing the capacity of national systems to manage emergencies effectively.
-Advocacy and Promotion of Humanitarian Principles: The PHT upholds and promotes core humanitarian principles, including “Leave No One Behind” and “Do No Harm.” This involves advocating for the protection and dignity of affected communities, ensuring that humanitarian actions are principled, inclusive, and centered on the needs and rights of people. The PHT is committed to a people-centered approach and accountability to affected populations, engaging directly with communities to ensure their voices are heard and their needs are met.
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Mandate and role in the region
The Pacific Humanitarian Team (PHT) operates within a region characterized by unique challenges, making it essential to tailor its operations to the specific needs of the countries within its Area of Responsibility (AoR). To effectively fulfill its mandate, the PHT places a strong emphasis on extensive engagement with regional partners and integration into existing regional mechanisms.
Strategic Engagement: By aligning its objectives with those of key regional entities, the PHT ensures that its efforts are complementary and supportive of broader initiatives. This alignment is achieved through continuous collaboration and dialogue with regional and national partners, ensuring that the PHT's activities are informed by the latest developments and needs in the region.
-Strategic Value and Core Commitments: The PHT's strategic value lies in its ability to enhance regional humanitarian efforts by providing vital coordination, technical expertise, and resources that complement and bolster local and national capacities. As a key player in the Pacific, the PHT supports the integration of international humanitarian standards and practices into regional and national initiatives, ensuring that responses are not only effective but also uphold the highest ethical standards.
Strategic Partnerships: By maintaining partnerships with regional organizations and actively participating in established regional mechanisms, the PHT ensures that its contributions remain relevant and aligned with the evolving needs of the Pacific. This strategic engagement not only reinforces the PHT's role as a vital coordination hub but also strengthens the collective regional capacity to prepare for, respond to, and recover from humanitarian crises.
To this end, the PHT is committed to fostering and strengthening partnerships with critical regional organizations and multilateral mechanisms, which act as conveyors of knowledge, resources, and best practices. By working closely with these organizations, the PHT can better align its strategies with regional priorities, enhance its operational readiness, and contribute to a more resilient and prepared Pacific region.
Expanding Engagement Beyond the Humanitarian Space: While the Pacific Humanitarian Team remains dedicated to its core mission of humanitarian response, it recognizes the necessity of expanding its engagement beyond the traditional humanitarian sphere. The unique and interconnected challenges faced by the Pacific region—ranging from development needs and climate change to environmental sustainability—demand a more holistic approach.
To this end, the PHT is committed to forging partnerships with a broader array of stakeholders, including those focused on development, climate adaptation, and environmental issues. This engagement is essential for ensuring that humanitarian actions are not only responsive to immediate crises but also contribute to the long-term resilience and sustainable development of Pacific communities.
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Strategic objectives
Promote and Uphold Humanitarian Principles: Advocate for and ensure the application of humanitarian principles across all PHT activities, ensuring that responses are principled, inclusive, and protective of the rights and dignity of all affected communities. Emphasize the importance of "Leave No One Behind" and "Do No Harm" in all phases of humanitarian action, while ensuring accountability to affected populations and safeguarding against sexual exploitation and abuse, gender-based violence, and human rights violations.
Support National Leadership and Coordination in Humanitarian Efforts: Support the capacity of National Disaster Management Offices and other national authorities to lead and coordinate disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. The PHT will provide technical support, facilitate training, and ensure that humanitarian responses are led nationally while playing a supportive role consistent with the principle of "as local as possible, as international as necessary."
Enhance Preparedness and Operational Readiness: Further strengthen the PHT’s operational readiness by fostering regular engagement and collaboration with regional, national and local actors and strengthening preparedness activities. Align with technical regional partners to address the region’s logistical and geopolitical challenges.
Foster Inclusive and Strategic Partnerships: Engage systematically with key regional partners, donors, and other stakeholders to foster a coordinated approach to humanitarian action. The PHT will maintain continuous dialogue at strategic and technical levels to ensure its relevance and responsiveness to the evolving humanitarian landscape.
Integrate Humanitarian-Development Nexus Approaches: Ensure that PHT’s strategies recognize and integrate the continuum between disaster response, preparedness, and resilience building. Engage with regional mechanisms that address development, climate adaptation, and environmental sustainability to ensure humanitarian efforts contribute to long-term development goals and sustainable outcomes.