Vanuatu

Vanuatu is an island paradise with stunning beaches, rich culture and untouched landscapes, but under the idyllic surface climate change, social inequality and under-development are ever-present threats. Three-quarters of Vanuatu’s population live in rural areas and on remote islands. Many lack access to clean water sources, basic sanitation, and essential health services. CARE has been in Vanuatu since 2008, working alongside communities to build resilience to disasters and climate change shocks, and increase women’s and girls’ involvement in community and national leadership.

Ranked globally for the last five years as the country most at risk of natural disaster, Vanuatu communities face constant challenges with regular earthquakes, tsunamis and the threat of volcanic eruptions. Natural disasters, such as droughts, floods and cyclones, are now becoming even more severe and frequent due to climate change. These unpredictable natural disasters, coupled with the effects of climate change, cause communities to be at greater risk in all areas of island life. CARE Vanuatu is working to help communities prepare and respond to these disasters by establishing and training local disaster committees. To ensure sustainability, CARE supports these committees to run disaster simulations, provide First Aid training, and trial new disease-resistant crop varieties for community farming. CARE is also working to improve the inclusion of women’s voices by providing gender and disaster training in communities and for local authorities to ensure women’s needs are recognized during disasters, and supported to build stronger, safer and more resilient communities.