Merelita Lewabete
I am a Technical Assistant at the Pacific Community - SPC, based in Suva, Fiji, with a background in Geospatial Science. My work involves supporting regional initiatives that utilize geospatial data to strengthen infrastructure resilience and disaster risk management across Pacific Island countries. I contribute to the development and maintenance of geospatial databases, assist in national surveys, and collaborate with technical teams to ensure accurate data collection and analysis. My role is particularly focused on enhancing exposure and hazard modelling capabilities for countries such as Kiribati, Vanuatu, and Tonga.
Sessions
This presentation shares how open-source mapping tools were used to collect data on buildings and infrastructure in Kiribati, Tonga, and Vanuatu. The data helps governments understand which areas are most at risk from disasters like cyclones and floods, and supports better planning for safer, stronger infrastructure.