Did French Polynesia Cope with COVID-19? Intrinsic Vulnerabilities and Decreased Resilience

Abstract

The COVID-19 crisis raised issues over the resources and capacities of small islands and their populations, at high risk through various economic dependencies and health system limitations. French Polynesia was deeply shaken economically, politically, socially, psychologically and geographically by the threat and impact of the virus. Serious mortality outcomes underlined intrinsic vulnerabilities in the territory, in several categories – geographical, social, economic and spatial imbalances –at several scales. They influenced the response of the Polynesian government and its population to the health threat. Limited success raised a critical question over whether it is possible to mitigate intrinsic vulnerability by developing more resilient risk management strategies, and their means of implementation, for example by land use planning, economic development, political devolution and other strategies.