The visit focused on the Ba River catchment, where experts and local stakeholders worked together to identify sustainable strategies for mitigating the impact of increasingly severe river flooding. The Ba region faces significant challenges from extreme weather events, which threaten both the local economy and community safety. During the visit, the joint team carried out rapid assessments to understand the root causes of these evolving flood risks.

After returning to the Netherlands, the technical team analyzed their findings and published their final peer reviewed recommendations. Their report reveals that shifts in riverbed erosion and sediment deposition are contributing to higher flood levels in specific areas. The team observes that while retention basins may offer minor localized relief, the sheer volume of floodwater in the Ba catchment requires a more comprehensive approach.

To address these challenges, the report recommends a combination of short-term and long-term measures. Immediate actions include expanding the existing Flood Early Warning System to increase lead times and implementing a maintenance dredging programme to improve river flow. For the longer term, the team advised developing advanced hydrodynamic models to test large-scale interventions, such as widening the Ba Town bridge or creating "room for the river" to safely manage extreme water discharges.

The mission highlighted that effective flood management requires not just engineering solutions, but also strong interagency coordination and community preparedness. The findings from this visit provide a roadmap for future investment and cooperation.

This collaboration, made possible with funding from the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is exemplary of the Netherlands' commitment to helping the Pacific realize its 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. By sharing specialized knowledge in water management and climate adaptation, the Netherlands aims to support Pacific nations in building a resilient and secure future.