Lynda Tabuya Challenges Why Climate Finance Leaves Slow-Burning Crises Behind

At COP31 in Türkiye, Fiji Climate Change Minister Lynda Tabuya questioned whether international climate funding is designed to help Pacific communities facing disasters that unfold slowly, rather than striking all at once. Speaking at an event called “Finance That Reaches the Pacific,” she focused on the gap between support for cyclones and assistance for problems such as drought, bushfires and water shortages. Tabuya said super El Niño conditions are bringing severe impacts to Fiji and other Pacific nations. She raised the question of whether existing climate-risk insurance can respond to gradual emergencies that threaten food supplies, livelihoods and access to safe drinking water before conditions become worse. The minister acknowledged support from the Pacific Catastrophe Risk Insurance Company, the Pacific Resilience Facility and the Global Shield. But she also called on development partners to help the Pacific Resilience Facility reach its US$1.5 billion target. As Political Champion for Climate Finance, Tabuya said success should be judged by whether funds reach vulnerable communities when they need help. Her remarks put the emphasis not just on commitments made at international events, but on whether financial support can reach people facing slow-onset hardship in time to make a difference, according to the report.