Assistance to enhance preparedness for and resilience to natural disasters and other emergencies

The Secretary of State is authorized to assist the Pacific Islands to enhance preparedness for and resilience to natural disasters and other emergencies. Such assistance includes— (1) education and training programs on natural disaster prevention and preparedness for emergency management professionals in the Pacific Islands, including by leveraging the expertise of nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher education in the United States; (2) technical assistance, including through grants and cooperative agreements for qualified United States and local nongovernmental organizations, to enhance early warning systems, emergency management and preparedness procedures, and post-disaster relief and recovery; (3) coordination of existing disaster mitigation and response plans in the region, including by United States allies and partners in the region; (4) infrastructure development and upgrades to improve disaster preparedness and response, such as the construction of evacuation centers, flood control measures, and communication networks; (5) support for local community-based disaster risk reduction programs, including the development of evacuation plans, training in first aid and emergency response, and provision of emergency supplies; (6) technical assistance and training to enhance the capacity of local emergency response agencies, including search and rescue teams, fire departments, and medical personnel; (7) provision of critical humanitarian assistance, such as food, water, shelter, and medical care, in the aftermath of disasters; and (8) support for programs aimed at reducing the long-term impacts of disasters, such as disaster risk insurance, small business recovery programs, and environmental restoration initiatives.