South Pacific Humanitarian
and Disaster Summary

11–17 August 2026

SAMPLE — TAKEN FROM 11–17 AUGUST 2026 ISSUE

Bottom Line • Warnings • Response • Sector Activities • Long-term Hazards

Bottom Line

Imminent Weather and Hazard Warnings

	Water Supply Repairs Successful — PNG On 16 August, Water PNG announced its repair programme concluded successfully, with water slowly returning to full pressure. The scheduled shutdown ran from Friday 14 August to Sunday 16 August, with rationing occurring across four zones on eight-hour rotations.
	Multiple Moderate Earthquakes — PNG A cluster of moderate to strong earthquakes struck northern PNG over the weekend, including six with magnitudes of 5 or above in the past seven days alongside 15 smaller earthquakes. Tremors were felt as far away as Madang town and Port Moresby. No damage or casualties have been reported, and the frequency and magnitude of the earthquakes remain within annual norms.
	Strong Weather Warning — Solomon Islands Heavy rain, Temotu Province; strong wind, all waters. Through 18 August.
	Strong Weather Warning — Vanuatu Inland Torba, Sanma, Penama, Malampa (strong wind); all waters (marine). Through 18 August.
	Multiple Weather Warnings — Fiji On 17 August, the Fiji Meteorological Service maintained a heavy rain alert for eastern Viti Levu and Yasawa, having cancelled the alert for western Viti Levu and Mamanuca. Heavy rain and isolated thunderstorms are expected to increase the risk of flash flooding, surface flooding, and poor driving conditions. A strong wind warning is also in force for coastal Sigatoka, Rakiraki, and Udu Point, Yasawa, Kadavu and nearby islands, Lau and Lomaiviti, and Cikobia, Taveuni and nearby islands, with winds of up to 45kph developing on 18 August and continuing into 19 August. The next heavy rain update is expected at 9.10am local time on 18 August.
	Load-shedding Due to Diesel Generation Issue — Tonga On 16 August, Tonga Power Limited gave notice of expected load-shedding in parts of Tongatapu due to a diesel generator issue. Load-shedding is expected to continue through to 18 August, with daily updates provided as repairs continue.
	Strong Weather Warning — Tonga Tongatapu, ʻEua, Tele-ki-Tonga, Tele-ki-Tokelau waters. Through 18 August.
	Strong Weather Warning — Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands waters. Easing after 18 August.
	Volcano — Vanuatu No changes over the reporting period. On 17 July, the Vanuatu Meteorological and Geo-Hazards Department confirmed Ambae Volcano remains at Alert Level 3 (Minor Eruption, on a 5-level scale) due to ongoing volcanic gas and steam emissions, persistent lava effusion, and continued geomorphological changes within the crater. There is no change to the previously reported general advisory (see SPHD Summary, 16–22 June): the hazard zone is a 3 km radius from the active vent, and ash fall is affecting communities on the south and south-east of Ambae, including contamination of crops and drinking water. Activity has been elevated since November 2025.

Marine warning: wind, swells greater than 2.5m producing rough seas, and thunderstorms.
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Indicator Key

Full text for each report in the below sections is available to subscribers. This issue covers:

Ongoing Response and Recovery

• Pacific Governments Increase H5N1 Preparedness

Sector Activities

Local

• Launch of Climate Finance Planning and Transparency Tools — Vanuatu
• Japan Funds Regional Meteorological and Disaster Warning Capacity — Fiji
• Japan Expands Maritime Pollution Response Capability — Fiji
• Evacuation Centre Upgrades Complete — Fiji
• Energy Fiji Limited Seeks World Bank Finance for Solar Energy — Fiji
• Ha'apai Community and School Disaster Preparedness Outreach — Tonga
• Development of National Anticipatory Action Framework — Tonga
• Four-Week Marine Science Expedition Begins — Samoa
• Samoa Scopes PaRTneR Phase 3 Risk Information Priorities — Samoa

Regional

• New Zealand Assumes Leadership of Pacific Response Group
• Regional Health Outbreak Response Training
• Solomon Islands and Fiji Develop Regional Fuel Security Initiatives
• Forum Foreign Ministers Push PRF Capitalisation and Regional Risk Monitoring

Emerging and Best Practice

• Mobile Humanitarian and Disaster Relief Manufacturing Capacity
• Reintroduction of Traditional Knowledge ClimateWatch App — Vanuatu
• Fiji Navy Calls for Preventative Approach to Maritime Search and Rescue — Fiji

Long-term Hazard Warning

• El Niño Outlook — Global
• Dengue Outbreaks — Region
• Medicine Shortage — Samoa
• Fuel Disruption — Region

Upcoming Significant Dates

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