Disasters in Kiribati

Disaster Risk Management in Kiribati covers prevention, preparedness, warnings, immediate response, assistance and recovery. The country has 33 low-lying islands and atolls, and most land lies below two metres above sea level. Coastal inundation, high seas, storm surge, king tides, extreme spring tides, coastal erosion and sea-level rise can affect homes, roads, water supplies, power, communications, schools, clinics, ports and airfields. Sea-level variability linked to ENSO and the Madden-Julian Oscillation can reach about 0.5 metres. Tropical cyclones, extreme weather, heavy rain, tsunami, drought, water scarcity, saltwater intrusion, maritime accidents, oil spills, fires, explosions and aircraft accidents are also recognised hazards. Epidemics may be treated as a disaster hazard when they overwhelm normal arrangements, while disease treatment itself belongs to the health system. The Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Act 2019 and the National Disaster Risk Management Plan 2012 provide the main framework. The Beretitenti and Cabinet hold overall responsibility. The Kiribati National Expert Group, known as KNEG, provides national strategic and technical coordination, while the lead ministry carries out planning, logistics, training, needs assessments, emergency coordination and administration of the Disaster and Climate Change Rapid Response Fund. Older plans and institutions may use the terms NDRMC, NDRMO, National Disaster Management Office, NEOC or EOC. A Disaster Controller coordinates national action when the legal conditions for a declaration are met. Local Councils assign preparedness, response and recovery work to Island Disaster Committees or, in Tarawa and Kiritimati, to Taskforces. These groups bring together police, medical, water, food-security and social-welfare services, formal authorities, traditional leaders and representatives of women, children, older people and people with disabilities. Mayors retain local disaster responsibility and may act when national communications fail. Maneaba, te buia and unimwane or unaine can support community communication and local authority, but their role operates within the national and island response arrangements. The National Disaster Risk Management Plan uses five readiness stages: readiness from 48 to 24 hours before an expected event, standby from 24 to 12 hours, activation from 12 to 0 hours, response and relief with early recovery after the event, and long-term recovery. The 2019 Act also distinguishes Level 1 incidents handled by one island or ministry, Level 2 incidents that overwhelm local capacity or affect several sectors or islands, and Level 3 incidents that exceed national capacity and require international assistance. The Kiribati Meteorological Service, or KMS, provides authoritative weather, climate and ocean information, including forecasts for extreme tides, tropical cyclones, tsunami and severe drought. Warnings may use Radio Kiribati, SMS and phone messages, police sirens and public-address systems, church bells, websites, radio and Facebook updates, and targeted accessible or multilingual communication. KMS provides a toll-free information line at 1055. During a tsunami threat, strong shaking, unusual water movement or sudden water recession requires immediate movement inland or to a planned safer place without waiting for a bulletin. Official warnings should be repeated and updated; the published warning plan provides for tsunami updates every 30 minutes and hourly bulletins. Preparedness includes community risk awareness, annual drills, trained and equipped staff, prepositioned relief stocks, designated evacuation centres, shelter standards that protect safety and dignity, business-continuity arrangements, island plans and drought plans. The Water Sector Operational Plan supports planning for water shortages. Evacuation centres may include public buildings, schools, churches and maneaba. MISE prepares shelters, evacuation paths, transport and emergency power, while the Kiribati Police Service protects people, property and relief supplies. Churches and faith-based shelters must admit affected people without religious discrimination. Schools may keep pupils in place until the responsible national or island authority issues a stand-down. Evacuation paths and safer places differ by island, and no single path or map applies to every part of Kiribati. The Kiribati Police Service and fire services provide initial emergency leadership, while emergency coordination centres support search and rescue, medical evacuation, damage and needs assessment, relief distribution and checks on water, food, power, communications, roads and debris. MISE addresses infrastructure, roads, power, water and sanitation. The Ministry of Health and Medical Services protects patients and supports nutrition, hygiene, safe water and epidemic control. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration helps coordinate external assistance, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs supports island communication. The Kiribati Red Cross Society acts as an auxiliary partner, including through IFRC support. Humanitarian assistance is based on need rather than a valuation of household losses. Kiribati has no general government compensation entitlement for disaster damage, evacuation inconvenience, precautionary expenses or unpaid community volunteering. Compensation may be possible where a private party caused harm negligently or where a qualifying injury or death occurred during a government-requested response. Community Disaster Fund requests normally go through a local council or the Office of Te Beretitenti and should show the affected population, damage, requested assistance and required materials or resources. Timing depends on the incident and any declaration. Unsolicited relief donations are discouraged, while customs, visa, transport and telecommunications facilitation may be arranged under standby agreements. A Level 3 disaster can lead to a Disaster Declaration on advice from the Minister or KNEG and approval by the Beretitenti or Cabinet. Such a declaration confirms that national capacity is insufficient and may request international assistance. It lapses after seven days unless extended. A State of Public Emergency can provide special access to budgets, assets, personnel, labour and land and can impose movement controls; it normally lasts until the next Maneaba ni Maungatabu meeting unless revoked or extended. Overseas volunteers need prior approval, and volunteers already in Kiribati register with the responsible ministry. Recovery includes immediate relief, reconstruction, restoration of water, sanitation, power, communications, roads, airfields, docks, shelters, health services and education continuity. Authorities should record damage and expenditure, conduct an after-action review and reduce vulnerability in later plans and budgets. Build-back-better measures include raised land, stronger structural design, coastal protection, water harvesting, desalination and protection or restoration of mangroves, coastal vegetation and seagrass. On 27 March 2025, MISE and the Kiribati National Drought Committee handed over 20 solar portable desalination units. The UNDP Whole-of-Islands project covers five pilot islands, targets 17,500 people and is planned to continue through 2030; project coverage does not guarantee universal service. Current instructions should be checked through KMS, Radio Kiribati, local councils, Island Disaster Committees and the responsible emergency service. The Kiribati Police Service currently publishes 188 as a contact number, but emergency access can vary by service and island.