Overview:
Vice President Raynold Oilouch, who also heads Palau’s National Emergency Management Office (NEMO), says stronger coordination — both within Palau and across the Pacific — is key to improving disaster preparedness and response. Reflecting on lessons learned from past emergencies, including the COVID-19 pandemic, Oilouch outlined his priorities for building a more resilient and unified regional approach to disaster management.
By: Laurel Marewibuel
Koror, PALAU — “We need to have better coordination of support,” Vice President Raynold Oilouch said, highlighting his top priority in strengthening Palau’s disaster response. Speaking from his dual role as Vice President and head of the National Emergency Management Office (NEMO), Oilouch reflected on lessons learned from past emergencies, including the COVID-19 pandemic, and outlined strategies for improving both national and regional disaster preparedness.
Oilouch identified three key lessons shaping Palau’s current approach to disaster management. First and foremost, he emphasized the need for improved coordination of aid and resources. “There were times when we lacked coordination, resulting in delays in delivering aid to the populations in need,” he said. “Improving this coordination is our most important priority.”
He also stressed the importance of regional collaboration among Pacific nations. “There was not enough coordination among the Pacific countries. What we are doing now is working to align the efforts of all Pacific nations better so we can make a united request for support from larger partners, which will bring greater assistance to Palau,” Oilouch said.
Regarding national preparedness, Oilouch highlighted two areas needing strengthening. He emphasized the role of international partners, noting that “if all Pacific countries coordinate their efforts with one voice, we can better access financial and material support from those countries.” He also underscored internal coordination, pointing out that “different agencies handle various aspects of disaster response. We need to coordinate better internally so we speak with one voice when asking for support from donors.”
Looking ahead to regional meetings, Oilouch reiterated the importance of collective action. “Each Pacific island has unique needs, but overall, we share similar challenges regarding disasters. Our focus must be on strengthening coordination and delivering a unified request to donor countries. That is the key to improving our collective resilience,” he said.
Under Oilouch’s leadership, Palau continues to prioritize coordination, both internally and across the Pacific, as a foundation for building more resilient disaster response systems and ensuring timely aid delivery during emergencies.
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