The Republic of Vanuatu experiences many natural hazards with the World Risk Report 2016 again rating Vanuatu as the most exposed country in the world to natural hazards. As well as regular cyclones there are other hazards including volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, flooding, drought, landslides and tsunamis that can cause damage to infrastructure, environment, public and private property, as well as impact long term development efforts. The potential for catastrophic damage was clearly demonstrated by Tropical Cyclone Pam in March 2015.
Communities in Vanuatu have built up a strong resilience to natural hazards through generations of accumulated experience in managing them. The Ministry of Climate Change Adaptation through the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) and the Vanuatu Meteorological and Geohazards Department (VMGD) support communities to prepare for and respond to Cyclones.
Members of communities work together in preparation for disasters and are the first line of response after an event has occured. The Government of Vanuatu works with communities to develop warnings, guidelines and assistance after a major disaster. The NDMO is working with communities in rural and urban areas to create Community Disaster Committees and at a provincial level to create Provincial Disaster Plans. See here for new guidelines in Bislama language on how to prepare your community to respond to a range of hazards including cyclones.
Advice on preparation for disasters has been developed to remind communities of the basic preparedness initiatives they should undertake.