Vanuatu
Tarpaulins were distributed throughout communities on the worst hit islands of Vanuatu immediately following the devastating Cyclone Pam. Julia Loersch/Act for Peace
Cyclone Pam, which swept through Vanuatu in 2015, was only one of a series of natural disasters that have struck the nation in recent years. As climate change increases, frequent natural disasters will continue to destroy homes, farms and businesses, leading to poverty and loss of livelihoods. Your support is working to minimise the risks associated with natural disasters, ensuring communities in Vanuatu are better able to plan and prepare for disasters when they happen.
Cyclone Pam, which swept through Vanuatu in 2015, was only one of a series of natural disasters that have struck the nation in recent years. As climate change increases, frequent natural disasters will continue to destroy homes, farms and businesses, leading to poverty and loss of livelihoods. Your support is working to minimise the risks associated with natural disasters, ensuring communities in Vanuatu are better able to plan and prepare for disasters when they happen.
How you’re helping
Thanks to you, Act for Peace has been working in partnership with the Vanuatu Christian Council (VCC) on a Disaster Risk Reduction program to create safer, more resilient Pacific Island communities in the face of natural disasters. Villages in Vanuatu are stretched over a large number of islands, and many communities are cut off from government assistance in times of disaster. Your support is also helping to set-up Community Disaster Committees, who work together with their communities to strengthen their village against disaster.
Through the project, communities are provided with disaster baskets stocked with essential items that help save lives when disaster strikes, including first aid kits, solar lights, hygiene and sanitation supplies, blankets and matches. People also receive first aid training so that injuries can be to be dealt with at the community level.
The program places special emphasis on activities that focus on the role of women in the decision-making process, better integration of violence prevention, and disability inclusiveness. The Community Disaster Committees include representatives from all sections of the community and are helping to empower women to build disaster resilience at the community level. Food security training is helping to empower women through local knowledge in food preparation. As part of disaster preparedness, women learn techniques such as preserving and drying, to reduce food shortages after disasters.