Household vulnerability and resilience to shocks: findings from Solomon Islands and Vanuatu

Abstract

"This paper examines the vulnerability and resilience of Pacific Island Countries (PICs) to shock at a national level before presenting the findings of research conducted at the household level in two Melanesian countries: Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.1 PICs represent a diverse group of countries, but they are often referred to as being among the most vulnerable in the world. This reflects both their considerable exposure to the effects of natural hazards and economic shocks as well as their limited ability to manage them (Naudé et al. 2009; Guillaumont, 2010). As small and highly open economies, PICs are highly exposed to volatility in international commodity prices and global economic downturns ..." - page 1