The Pacific Regional Learning Event (PARLE) was a gathering of over 70 participants from Fiji, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and Vanuatu where CS WASH Fund projects are being implemented by World Vision, WaterAid and Live and Learn Environmental Education. It provided a forum to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of projects through peer-to-peer learning, strengthen relationships between CSOs, local government and other change agents and strengthen the Pacific WASH community of practice. It was held in November 2015 in Fiji.
There is ample evidence that highlights the unique vulnerability of Pacific Island Countries (PICs) to the impacts of climate change with high water tables, rising sea levels and increased likelihood of natural disasters1 – a topic of discussion at the Pacific Regional Learning Event (PARLE).
Given the diverse geographical and environmental conditions, WASH situations, exposure to climate risks and local governance structures across the Pacific region and within counties, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to building WASH resilience in the Pacific. Understanding where WASH sits within the broader water cycle, and adopting integrated water resource management principles to work with communities and other actors to identify vulnerabilities and manage risks, will assist to build WASH resilience. The question of how this is borne out in practical and meaningful ways are the challenges that CSOs are currently
grappling with.
The definition of ‘resilience’, and who defines it, is important; this includes for both community resilience (addressing underlying vulnerabilities), and for the resilience of WASH infrastructure and resources.