The small Pacific island nation of Palau is strengthening its resilience against climate change-driven extreme weather through the establishment of a network of emergency refuges, with support from the United Nations. These shelters aim to protect communities from rising sea levels, typhoons, storm surges, and flooding, which are increasingly threatening homes, livelihoods, and cultural heritage in the archipelago of over 500 islands.
For Seth Techitong, who grew up swimming and fishing in Palau’s clear blue waters, the ocean once symbolized freedom. Today, it is a source of concern as climate hazards directly threaten the places he grew up in. Motivated by this personal connection, he now works with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) to oversee the strengthening of disaster shelters across the country.
The project is part of a broader UN-supported effort to enhance Palau’s climate resilience through an integrated approach addressing people, planet, prosperity, and peace. The shelters are designed to form a national network of safe spaces, equipped to withstand extreme weather, with features including typhoon shutters, rainwater catchment systems, solar lighting, generators, and water filtration. Accessibility and inclusivity are central, ensuring that persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups are protected during emergencies.
Beyond physical infrastructure, the initiative emphasizes local capacity building. Community-based Red Cross Disaster Action Teams are trained to manage shelters and coordinate responses before, during, and after disasters, fostering local leadership and ownership. This approach strengthens community preparedness, social cohesion, and adaptive capacity, helping residents remain rooted despite the risks of climate displacement.
Disaster shelters also serve as community hubs, supporting youth leadership, preparedness, and connection. According to Techitong, they are more than refuges—they are central to national resilience, enabling communities to adapt, protect one another, and maintain Palau’s cultural and environmental heritage. The project offers hope that future generations will continue to experience the beauty and safety of Palau despite the growing threats posed by climate change.
