Asia and the Pacific
Vanuatu ranks 140 out of 189 on the Human Development Index (HDI). CARE works with communities in Vanuatu to build community resilience to disasters and increase women and girls’ involvement.
Vanuatu, which consists of more than 80 islands, faces ever-present threats of the climate emergency and social inequality. Three-quarters of Vanuatu’s population lives in rural areas, and many lack access to clean water sources, basic sanitation, and essential health services.
Families are also vulnerable to natural disasters that are increasingly common in the Pacific region. Despite a growing economy, income opportunities are often limited, particularly for women. Women and girls face threats of violence, and women are very under-represented in community, provincial, and national decision making.
CARE International has been present in Vanuatu since 2008, working with communities to build resilience to disasters and climate shocks and increase women and girls’ involvement in community and national leadership. We help communities prepare for emergencies, such as Cyclone Pam in 2015.
CARE International’s work in Vanuatu focuses on:
As the extent of the damage from Cyclones Judy and Kevin become clearer,CARE is delivering much-needed supplies to cyclone-battered communities in Vanuatu, with a particular focus on women and girls.
Cyclone Judy has been upgraded to a Category 4 storm and is intensifying further as it heads towards the southernmost islands of Vanuatu.
A climate change exacerbated hurricane season may cause massive human suffering if preparedness activities are not stepped up, warns CARE. Hurricane season in the Caribbean is due to start on June 1st, and this year could be more deadly than ever.
On the island of Tanna, in Vanuatu, CARE has spoken with school girls about the challenges that keep them away from school. One reason may be a surprise: toilets!
“We learned this through the simulation exercise that CARE did. It really saved lives, I know it.”
When people talk about the South Pacific and countries like Vanuatu, they often use words like ‘idyllic’, ‘relaxed’ or ‘peaceful’. And yes, there are plenty of parts of the South Pacific that fit those descriptions. Yet Cyclone Pam has, for at least a little while, changed the world’s image of Vanuatu.
In FY2023, CARE worked around the world, contributing to saving lives, fighting poverty, and increasing social justice.
