In 2002 and 2003, ADB conducted participatory assessments of poverty (referred to as "hardship" in some PDMCs) in eight PDMCs, in order to improve its understanding of the nature of poverty and of the priorities of the poor in the Pacific.
While there are growing pockets of real destitution in some PDMCs, in most cases the issues raised relate to:
- the difficulty of insufficient cash to purchase basic goods and meet community obligations
- inadequate access to basic services:
- health care
- clean water
- schooling
Priorities of the Poor
| Country |
Income Opportunities |
Basic Social Services |
Others |
| |
|
|
|
| Fiji Islands |
|
|
Strengthen traditional community leadership and governance to address the weakening of traditional structures. |
| Marshall Islands |
|
|
Improve frequency and regularity of visits by ships to outer islands to buy and sell copra and other goods. |
| Micronesia, Federated States of |
|
|
Improve governance standards.
Access to technical/vocational training.
Social issues: kava, drug, and alcohol abuse.
|
| Papua New Guinea |
|
|
Strengthen existing law and order and enforcement agencies to improve personal security. |
| Samoa |
|
|
Access to housing assistance.
Greater access to technical/vocational training.
|
| Tonga |
|
|
Improve coordination among community groups and between community groups and government.
Greater access to technical/vocational training.
|
| Tuvalu |
|
|
Access to housing ownership scheme.
Sports facilities, equipment for the youth.
|
| Vanuatu |
|
|
Better roads, shipping services, airstrips, and telecommunications facilities.
Resolution of land disputes.
Social issues, particularly kava drinking.
|
Sources: ADB. 2002-2003. Priorities of the People: Hardship in the Pacific series. Manila.
 |
Regions and Countries 
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