Disasters, Conflicts and Migration
Natural Disasters |
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---|---|---|
Type |
Occurs |
Comments / Details |
Drought |
Yes |
Vanuatu suffers from periodic drought. Scientists are predicting that an El Niño system is likely to develop later in 2023. This would mean below-normal rainfall in Vanuatu. |
Earthquakes |
Yes |
Vanuatu is situated on the Ring of Fire. On average about 186 earthquakes occur across Vanuatu each year. |
Epidemics |
Yes |
Mosquito-borne epidemics of malaria and dengue are common. Larger dengue outbreaks can occur seasonally often related to the rainy season and the La Niña phenomenon. COVID-19 remains a risk in Vanuatu. The Government of Vanuatu communicates COVID-19 risks and restrictions through the Vanuatu Outbreak Alert System. |
Extreme Temperatures |
No |
N/A |
Flooding |
Yes |
Many parts of Vanuatu are subject to flash flooding during the rainy season (November to April). Flood displacement risk is likely to double by 2060 and the average annual displacement is expected to quadruple. |
Insect Infestation |
Yes |
Disease carrying and crop eating insects are present in Vanuatu. |
Mudslides |
Yes |
Heavy rain and flooding have resulted in mudslides. |
Volcanic Eruptions |
Yes |
There are five active volcanoes in Vanuatu. From 5 to 7 April 2023 volcanic activity on Ambae Volcano intensified with very high plumes of steam, gas and ash observed with lava glow at night. As of 29 September 2023 four volcanoes are at Alert Level 2 (Major unrest state) – Yasur on Tanna, Manaro Voui on Ambae, Lopevi on Lopevi and Mount Garet on Gaua. Volcanic activity bulletins are available from the Vanuatu Meteorology & Geo-Hazards Department. |
High Waves / Surges |
Yes |
Much of the coastal damage associated with TC Judy and TC Kevin was related to storm surges and high waves. High waves can prevent the use of small ports across Vanuatu, which are vital for emergency supply distribution to the islands. |
Tsunami |
Yes |
A massive tidal wave struck Marteli Bay, Pentecost Island on 2 December 1999 following a 7.1 magnitude earthquake on 27 November 1999. Tsunami waves were also observed around Aneityum Island on 5 March 2021 following an 8.1 magnitude earthquake. |
Wildfires |
No |
N/A |
High Winds |
Yes |
TC Lusi 2014, TC Pam 2015, TC Ula and Zena 2016, TC Cook 2017, TC Harold 2020, TC Judy and Kevin 2023 |
Other Comments |
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Man-Made Issues |
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Civil Strife |
No |
N/A |
International Conflict |
No |
N/A |
Internally Displaced Persons |
No |
There is natural migration of people during times of natural disasters, where local temporary residencies are created, but there are no managed camps. |
Refugees Present |
No |
N/A |
Landmines / UXO Present |
No |
N/A |
Other Comments |
N/A |
Seasonal Effects on Logistics Capacities
Seasonal Effects on Transport |
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---|---|---|
Transport Type |
Time Frame |
Comments / Details |
Primary Road Transport |
Nov-Apr |
There are sealed roads in Port Vila and Luganville. Heavy rain increases the size and depth of potholes making transport dangerous and hard on vehicle tires and axels. The bridge in Tanna was damaged due to the March 2023 cyclones. |
Secondary Road Transport |
Nov-Apr |
The secondary roads are dirt roads and are very quickly affected by rainfall. Continuous rain can quickly turn a road into an impassable one. It is best to get local knowledge to determine what port to deliver supplies to. |
Rail Transport |
N/A |
N/A |
Air Transport |
Nov-Apr |
Bauerfield International Airport is in Port Vila, Vanuatu. The airport runway has the capability and length to accept jets up to the Airbus A330. It serves as the hub for Vanuatu’s flag carrier airline, Air Vanuatu. Other local airlines operating in Vanuatu are Unity Airlines, Air Taxi and Belair Airways.
Heavy rain and cyclones can affect the secondary airstrips on outer islands rendering them unusable. |
Waterway Transport |
Nov-Apr |
Inter-island transport by small vessels to some ports cannot be undertaken during high seas and strong winds. |
The main seasonal effects on transport are climatic, occurring during the rainy season (November to April) when roads are subject to flooding and damage due to heavy rain. This may limit access to villages and small towns. During this period, inter-island sea and air transport may also be disrupted due to the cyclonic effects of high seas and strong winds.
Seasonal Effects on Storage and Handling |
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---|---|---|
Activity Type |
Time Frame |
Comments / Details |
Storage |
Nov-Apr |
Heavy rain and cyclones can affect storage quality and access to transportation of pre-positioned relief supplies, as many are containerised. In the event of an emergency, the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) will engage a suitable warehouse for storage, repackaging, etc. |
Handling |
Nov-Apr |
As above. |
Other |
N/A |
N/A |
The main seasonal effects on storage and handling are climatic, occurring during the rainy season (November to April) when food supplies may be damaged due to exposure during handling and/or transportation.
Capacity and Contacts for In-Country Emergency Response
GOVERNMENT
The Vanuatu Government uses the Disaster Risk Management Act 2019 to regulate the management of disasters and for related purposes. The Act establishes the National Disaster Committee, the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), the National Emergency Operations Center and the National Cluster Framework and National Cluster.
The NDMO is the government agency that leads on coordination of responses to emergencies and disasters across Vanuatu and sits under the Ministry of Climate Change. The NDMO works closely with local and international Non-Government Organisations helping communities to be disaster resilient in the development and strengthening of disaster risk reduction and disaster management plans, including mitigation, response, relief and recovery.
During emergencies, the NDMO works with the private sector and partners for telecommunications, transportation and warehousing requirements. Local and international military assets are only accessible through the NDMO with the endorsement of the Joint Police Operations Centre. Clusters submit all requests for transportation, relief supplies, etc to NDMO using the Request for Assistance form. The NDMO Standard Operating Procedures itemises individual agencies responsibilities in the Emergency Operations Centre. Roles and responsibilities are clearly outlined for both the individual and agency levels.
For more information on government contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Government Contact List.
HUMANITARIAN COMMUNITY
The Vanuatu Humanitarian Community, also known as the Vanuatu Humanitarian Team (VHT) consists of a network of agencies committed to effective humanitarian coordination, disaster preparedness and humanitarian response. The VHT is convened by Oxfam and its members include the Vanuatu Red Cross, Vanuatu Association of NGOs, UNICEF, Oxfam, CARE International, Save the Children, Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), the World Health Organization (WHO), PeaceCorps, World Vision and Act for Peace, IOM and UN OCHA.
For more information on humanitarian agency contact details, please see the following link: 4.2 Humanitarian Agency Contact List.