Palau, situated east of the Philippines and north-east of Indonesia, consists of more than 300 islands stretching over 650 km of which only nine are inhabited. Palau, a Micronesian country, is divided into 16 states and has one of the highest standards of living of Pacific Island countries.

Palau faces a moderate degree of risk to natural disasters, and mainly experiences tropical storms, drought and tidal surges. Like other Pacific Island countries, Palau is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including severe weather events and rising sea levels.

In December 2012, Palau was hit by Tropical Cyclone Bopha and while there was no loss of life, it caused extensive damage to coastal houses and infrastructure. Less than 12 months later, Palau was struck by Super Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013, devastating homes and infrastructure in the northern states of Kayangel, Ngerchelong and Ngaraard.

Despite Palau’s natural disaster risk, human-induced disasters have also affected the island nation. In September 1996, the Koror-Babeldaob Bridge, spanning Palau’s two main islands, collapsed suddenly, and in 2002, a report found that Palau's public water supply was contaminated due to a violation of public water standards.

In 2018, drought conditions have led to water restrictions around Koror and Airai State.

Disasters, Conflicts and Migration

For a more detailed database on disasters by country, please see the Centre for Research on Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED): https://www.emdat.be/index.php 

Seasonal Effects on Logistics Capacities

Palau averages a consistent 28-33°C temperature day and night, all year round. Climatic conditions relating to natural disasters could potentially cause damages to the logistics infrastructure, affecting the usability and availability of equipment.

Capacity and Contacts for In-Country Emergency Response

GOVERNMENT

The government disaster response structure is based around the permanent establishment of the National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) located near the National airport in Airai State. The NEMO monitors and coordinates all maritime and land-based disaster activities and responses. It acts with the counsel of, and in concert with the National Emergency Committee (NEC), made up of 24 directors and senior personnel from a range of government agencies.

The National Weather service (https://www.weather.gov/gum/Koror) updates climate information daily and makes this information available for public broadcasting and information service through the NEMO.

Due to the large number of maritime activities and responsibilities, NEMO coordinates with the US Coast Guard (based in Guam) for marine surveillance activities such as search and rescue and fisheries monitoring. Additionally, the Marine Surveillance patrol boat program also coordinates with NEMO and can be tasked in emergency response activities. Both the Australian and Japanese governments have each provided one patrol boat for Palau’s marine surveillance activities.

While there is a significant USAG based in Guam, along with US Navy and Airforce, they do not have any formal MoU mechanism to provide Palau with assistance in disaster situations. International military are not part of any response plan however, the US Goast Guard and the US Federal Aviation provide support to Palau in case of specific search and rescue operations or aviation disasters.

For more information on government contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Government Contact List 

HUMANITARIAN COMMUNITY

The humanitarian community in Palau is small, with a UN Joint Presence Office and Palau Red Cross society being the longest- established humanitarian agencies. IOM has also recently established itself in Palau. UNJOP is made up of the UNFPA, UNICEF and UNDP.

There are a number of faith-based groups present in Palau who also provide community support and assistance during times of disaster.

For more information on humanitarian agency contact details, please see the following link: 4.2 Humanitarian Agency Contact List

The Government of Palau has 8 ministries within the executive branch of government.

Within each ministry, there are bureaus and divisions responsible for government administration of regulatory operations and responsibilities. These are as follows:

• Ministry of Justice

  • Office of the Attorney General

  • Bureau of Immigration

  • Bureau of Public Safety

  • Div. of Criminal Investigation/Drug Enforcement

  • Division of Patrol

  • Division of Fire & Rescue

  • Division of Corrections

  • Div. of Marine Law Enforcement

  • Div. of Fish & Wildlife Protection
    
    

• Ministry of Education

  • Bureau of Education Administration

  • Bureau of Curriculum & Instruction
    
    

• Ministry of Finance

  • Bureau of Budget & Planning

  • Bureau of National Treasury

  • Bureau of Public Service System

  • Bureau of Revenue and Taxation

  • Bureau of Customs and Border Protection

  • Information Systems Support Services
    
    

• Ministry of Health

  • Offices

  • Human Resources & Development Office

  • Human Preparedness, Policy & Research Office

  • Bureaus

  • Bureau of Public Health

  • Bureau of Nursing

  • Bureau of Hospital & Clinical Services

  • Bureau of Health Administration & Support Services

  • Medical Referral Program

  • Hospital Trust Fund
    
    

• Ministry of State

  • Bureau of International Trade & Technical Assistance

  • Bureau of Domestic Affairs

  • Bureau of Foreign Affairs

  • Public Defender’s Office

  • Office of Administration

  • Office of Protocol

  • Passport Office

  • EPFM Live Broadcast

  • Embassies & Consulates
    
    

• Ministry of Community & Cultural Affairs

  • Bureau of Ageing and Gender

  • Bureau of Youth, Sports, & Recreation

  • Bureau of Arts & Culture

  • Bureau of National Archives
    
    

• Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment & Tourism

  • Bureau of Agriculture

  • Bureau of Marine Resources

  • Bureau of Tourism

  • Protected Areas Network
    
    

• Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Industries and Commerce

  • Bureau of Aviation

  • Bureau of Public Works

  • Bureau of Land and Survey

  • Bureau of Commercial Development

  • Small Business Development Center

  • Palau Energy Office

The Government of Palau website can be found at http://palaugov.pw

Customs and Revenue

The Ministry of Finance houses amongst its 5 Bureaus:

- the Bureau of Revenue and Taxation, whose mission it is to collect revenue to fund government services, and national development programs and projects.

- the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, whose mission it is to provide regulatory enforcement of the Customs Act, and to provide customs border force service at the main ports and airports. The bureau also protects the Palauan public by closely monitoring the Republic’s points of entry and the import and export of restricted and illegal goods.

Quality Assurance

Quality assurance for food and bio-security, including inspection services are the responsibility of the Bureau of Agriculture, under the Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment & Tourism. The Bureau are mandated under the Plant and Animal Control Act of 2002 to run these inspection services, and sampling for testing can be undertaken at any time, at any location, on all plant and animal goods. There is no laboratory testing present on Palau for food stuffs, fuel and other products; as such, testing is undertaken in nearby Guam or Singapore.

However, The Palau Environmental Quality Protection Board under Title 24 PNCA enforces regulations for:

(1) Earthmoving, (2) Marine and Fresh Water Quality, (3) Toilet and Wastewater Disposal Facilities, (4) Solid Waste Management, (5) Pesticides, (6) Public Water Supply Systems, (7) Environmental Impact Statements, (8) Air Pollution Control, and (9) Ozone Depleting Substances

Pre-shipment inspection for goods only applies to the commercial export of fish, as there are no other exports from Palau. Vessel and container arrival inspection services are provided by the Department of Biosecurity at the point of entry in Palau.

Laboratories in Palau

As stated, no laboratory testing facilities exist on Palau. If international testing services are required for quality and standards verification, calibration and certification of all goods, SGS and Intertek in Guam are commonly used. However, water quality testing is undertaken by the Department of Public Works.

For more information on regulatory departments and quality control laboratories’ contact details, please see the following links:

4.1 Government Contact List 
4.3 Laboratory and Quality Testing Company Contact List

Also see Annex 5.1

The Ministry of Finance encompasses the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection. The Bureau has a mandate to implement the collection of revenue and to secure Palau’s borders from illicit trade and other criminal activities, whilst facilitating legitimate trade and protecting its unique environment.

Customs activities at the points of entry are professional and thorough with a central customs database for recording and processing the importation of all goods into Palau. All processing for customs clearance must go through this database to be assessed and recorded. The Bureau has offices and inspectors at both the Palau International airport and Malakal Port – the two international points of entry.

Bear in mind that for tax exemption requests, the Ministry of State is the government entity that facilitates and evaluates any request for exemption for the import of humanitarian goods.   

Duties and Tax Exemption

 For contact information regarding government custom authorities, please see: 4.1 Palau Government Contact List

Emergency Response

Procedures during emergency and non-emergency times do not differ. There is no national legislation or regulation, neither for streamlining the exemption process at such times, or providing a blanket exemption to organisations who may be permanently registered and present in country.

Exemptions to Regular Regime (Non-Emergency Response)

The procedures for tax exemption during non-emergency times are reviewed on a case-by-case basis through the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection and through the Ministry of State.

For government legislation items 5 & 6 of the Palau customs regulation, see Annex 5.1.

Specific goods funded by foreign aid programs, and imports for the purposes of humanitarian assistance will, upon the request of the Ministry of State (to the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection) be granted an exemption. No standing agreement or legislation exists relating to the automatic blanket exemption of goods for use by humanitarian organisation either permanently registered in country or temporarily responding.  It is exclusively up to the importer/consignee to apply for an exemption. There is also no legislation or regulation for streamlining the process. However, tax and duty exemption will be provided and considered as a priority during times of disaster.

For more information see: http://www.palaucustoms.org/service_01_1_detail.aspx?sn=3fcc1157-16cc-432c-97c4-319c7cdbd168

Exemption Certificate Application Procedure 

Exemption Certificate Document Requirements 

Customs Clearance

General Information 

Customs Clearance Document Requirements

Transit Regime

All goods coming into Palau must come either through Malakal Port or through the Palau International Airport. Neither the port nor airport have bonded facilities to accommodate transit goods. Sealed containers (sea freight) that are proposed for transit purposes could, with prior approval of the port operators and customs, be considered on a case-by-case basis during exceptional circumstances. Applications would need to be made to the Director of the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection at Malakal.