The Minister for Climate Change and Natural Disasters, the Honourable James Bule, hosted a national validation workshop for the Vanuatu Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction Policy at the Holiday Inn in Port Vila on 17 February 2015.
According to the UN World Risk Report (2012) Vanuatu has the highest disaster risk index of any country in the world. Its location on the Pacific “ring of fire” gives it exposure to frequent seismological hazards such as volcanic eruption, earthquake and tsunami. It is also located in the tropical cyclone belt and suffers frequent cyclones with extreme winds and rainfall events causing extensive damage to human settlements and crops.
In this context the Red-Cross has been supporting the NDMO since 2010 to strength the disaster preparedness in a multi-level approach. To do so the FRC/VRCS strength the NDMO network from the national to the community level by setting up of the Community Disaster and Climate Change Committee (CDCCC) and train Provincial Disaster Committee in Torba province.
Since 2014 FRC and VCRS, together with the NDMO, have identified South and South East Malekula in Malampa province as news priorities to expand Community base disaster risk reductions activities into 8 communities.
The methodology cover the community risk assessment, DRR awareness, first aid training, development of mitigation and response plan, as well as the improvement of early warning system by installation of HF radios.
The second target will be to strengthen the capacity of the Provincial Authorities to manage disasters. A simulation exercise will be done at provincial level and a full CBDRR training of trainer will be given to the area council secretary for them to follow and replicate the activities of the project. Indeed the support of Torba and Malampa Provincial Administration in monitoring CBDRR activities will be our first priority.
At the National, support is given to NDMO to develop standards procedures for CBDRR. A contribution in risk assessment will be also done by supporting the Vanuatu geohazard in the design of a volcanic risk mapping for the island of Ambrym.
GCCA–Vanuatu consists of two separate components with differing objectives and implementation modes. Component A – the subject of this brief – covers the enhancement of policy development on and institutional strengthening of climate change in Vanuatu. Component B focuses on increasing resilience to climate change and natural hazards and will be implemented by the World Bank through an Administrative Agreement between the European Commission and World Bank (see separate brief on the IRCCNH project).
This project will facilitate the improvement of water supply and sanitation services in 15 rural communities in Vanuatu. Water sources will be improved and the water brought within short walking distance of homes, with better access to improved sanitation facilities in the communities being provided through community driven demand from sanitation marketing initiatives. Governance and management training will be provided for water management committees, and hygiene awareness and training will be facilitated for communities using the PHAST methodology with integrated disaster risk reduction activities included to disaster-proof the new development and raise the community level of resiliency to disasters.
The Joj blong yumi i help long tem blong disasta project is a joint activity under the Vanuatu Church Partnership Program. The project aims to develop a Disaster Management training program for Vanuatu Christian Churches so that Church organizations and volunteers can help their communities come prepared and assist during a rapid onset disaster. Vanuatu’s Christian Churches exist in every community of Vanuatu and represent a strong and powerful network that can assist in times of disaster.
The training program will be initially run and trailed with SDA Church leaders and volunteers. Training will then be given to representatives from other Church members of the Vanuatu Church Partnership Program.
The Cloud Nasara Pacific Climate Animation Project aims to increase awareness of the science and impacts of climate variability in the Pacific, and to provoke discussion around how communities can take ‘low regrets’ actions to prepare for future El Niño and La Niña events and adapt to climate change. Cloud Nasara is an innovative new collaboration between Red Cross and the Australian Government’s Pacific-Australia Climate Change Science and Adaptation Planning Program (PACCSAP). The project is being implemented by the Red Cross, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-hazards Department (VMGD) and the SPC-GIZ Climate Change Program.
Two short comical animation films are being developed as communication tools. One film will give an overview of climate processes and impacts in the Pacific region as a whole. The other film will be specifically focused on Vanuatu as a pilot country. They will be accompanied by a comprehensive ‘tool kit’ which will include resources to help facilitators link the information presented in the animation to decision making and action. The Cloud Nasara project is being developed through an ongoing consultative process, which includes research, focus groups, forums and direct communication with key stakeholders in Vanuatu and across the Pacific region. Cloud Nasara will be launched in June 2013. The films and accompanying resources will be useful for organisations, government, schools, and community groups in Pacific countries and by regional bodies across the Pacific and may assist those working in areas such as disaster risk management, health, food security, community planning, and environmental protection.
Contact: Ula Majewski – umajewski@meteo.gov.vu
