Disaster Response Training: The French-led Exercise MARARA 26 in French Polynesia is bringing together 12 Pacific nations to rehearse coordinated disaster relief, with the Pacific Response Group (PRG) focusing on logistics, medical support, communications, and regional crisis response. Regional Health Capacity: PRG leaders say the group can surge personnel and expertise—covering health, engineering, and logistics—when local capacity is stretched, including medical evacuations and supply drops during drills. Ocean Protection for Health & Livelihoods: Ahead of World Oceans Day, French Polynesia announced expanded protections covering about 30% of its EEZ, limiting industrial fishing and seabed mining across an additional 520,000 sq km while keeping artisanal fishing access for local communities. Mosquito-Borne Disease Watch: A Pasteur Institute entomologist warns that climate change is widening the range of mosquitoes that spread dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and yellow fever—raising outbreak concerns for the Pacific and beyond. Hantavirus Evacuation Costs: The US reportedly spent about $750,000 to charter a yacht to evacuate one American from Pitcairn after possible hantavirus exposure linked to a cruise outbreak, adding pressure to emergency medical budgets. Climate Risk Ahead: Scientists say El Niño has begun and could become “very strong” by winter, with knock-on effects for weather that can disrupt health, food systems, and infrastructure across the region.