The Role of Foreign Aid In Addressing Urban Vulnerability and Poverty In The Pacific

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The poverty index in most of the eleven Pacific Island Countries (PICs) is alarming. In these countries, there is a growing challenge meeting the other basic needs besides food emanating from the substantial economic and environmental risks. In 2012 the World Bank reported, at least six South Pacific Island Countries were categorized as lower-middle-income countries with a general per capita of less than 4,085 United ins Dollars as documented (World Bank, 2012). It is worth noting that at least cases of extreme food deprivation are low in the South Pacific Island Countries but there are other new forms of hardships such as the need to strive to meet the costs of non-food needs such as housing orchestrated by the increasing uncontrolled urbanization and monetization of the economy. Some notably vulnerable scenarios in this region are the small populations and remote location of areas that impede economic diversification hence constant economic shocks. Also, the topography of this region exposes them to a range of natural calamities such as earthquakes. This, substantially, renders the countries to be highly dependent on the foreign aids and grants. Again, external cash over-reliance and goods inflows by the South Pacific Island Countries (PICs) renders them to the volatility in bordering large economies. This article will highlight how international organizations address the issues of hardship and vulnerability to natural disaster among PICs like Papua New Guinea and Samoa. This paper will firstly bring to readers the current economic status of the island countries in the Pacific followed by the directions and methods taken to cope with livelihood issue. Finally for conclusion and recommendations on how communities can address these issues locally.