Vanuatu Continues to Strengthen Disaster Management Frameworks

Vanuatu consistently ranks near the top of countries with the highest natural disaster risk in the world. The country's location, dispersed island geography, and population pose significant challenges to disaster management. Despite these challenges, Vanuatu has strengthened its national-level disaster management frameworks, policies, and institutions. The Disaster Risk Management Act of 2019 established a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to disaster risk management. Local DM networks and provincial authorities, churches, non-governmental organizations, and the Vanuatu Red Cross Society have also contributed to the country's growing capacity. Key DM agencies, including the National Disaster Committee, National Disaster Management Office, and National Emergency Operation Center, are steadily gaining capacity. Vanuatu integrates assistance from regional and international partners as needed, including the United Nations, NGOs, and donors. The country is still recovering from a large earthquake in December 2024, which caused significant infrastructural damage and affected the livelihoods of many.