Disasters in Vanuatu

The main disaster risks in Vanuatu include tropical cyclones, strong winds, storm surge, coastal, river and flash flooding, landslides, earthquakes and tsunamis. The main cyclone season is generally November to April, with about two to three tropical cyclones in a season and the greatest concentration often in January and February. Vanuatu also has seven active volcanoes: Gaua, Kuwae, Nguna, Ambae, Tanna, Lopevi and Ambrym. Volcanic hazards can include ash, acid rain, lava flows and mudflows. Drought and bush fires can affect communities and essential resources. Technical incidents belong within disaster planning when they seriously disrupt critical systems. The Disaster Risk Management Act No. 23 of 2019 replaced the National Disaster Act 2000 and integrates disaster risk reduction with climate change adaptation, preparedness, response and recovery. The National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) is the national coordination and monitoring body. The National Disaster Committee (NDC) advises the government and ministers on a state of emergency, response and international assistance. During major emergencies, the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) coordinates warnings, response, public information, situation reports, impact and damage assessments, logistics, resource allocation and assistance requests. The NEOC uses readiness, standby, activation and stand-down stages; during activation it can coordinate continuously around the clock. The Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department (VMGD) provides weather, climate, observation and geo-hazard information. Weather information may be issued as an Information, Advisory or Warning. NDMO colour alerts use Blue for preparation, Yellow when danger is expected at about 12 hours, and Red for an imminent threat requiring people to stay indoors or move to a safe place and wait for an official all-clear. VMGD also issues volcanic alert levels from 0 to 5 and volcanic alert bulletins. Warnings can be distributed through radio, television, SMS, internet services, the VMGD website and Facebook. Radio remains especially important for remote and low-connectivity communities. VMGD’s weather service can be reached at +678 22932 around the clock, and its toll-free number is 116. A household can prepare by keeping a torch, spare batteries, a battery radio, water, food, matches or firewood, blankets, a charged mobile phone, medical supplies, prescriptions and important documents in waterproof protection. Roofs, loose objects, trees, water supplies, food and communication equipment should be checked before severe weather. A household should know local warning channels, evacuation signs, higher ground and the location of any assessed evacuation centre. An evacuation centre is a building selected and assessed for safer, dignified shelter during a particular emergency; it is not automatically a permanently open universal shelter. Local authorities and communities determine whether it is accessible and open. Tsunami action differs from cyclone, volcanic and flood action. A strong earthquake, the sea suddenly withdrawing or a loud roar from the ocean are natural tsunami warnings. Anyone experiencing these signs should move immediately uphill or inland without waiting for an official warning, leave possessions behind if necessary and remain away from the coast until VMGD gives an all-clear. Roads may be blocked, so a nationally uniform evacuation path cannot be assumed. For cyclones, volcanoes and floods, people should follow directions from the NDMO, provincial or municipal authorities and community structures, move to an indicated evacuation centre or safer higher ground, and plan support for children, older people, people with disabilities, neighbours and animals. Provincial and municipal committees support planning, local warning distribution, impact assessment, resources and response. Community Disaster & Climate Change Committees and Ward Disaster & Climate Change Committees connect formal arrangements with local knowledge, kastom knowledge and practical access conditions. Vanuatu’s six provinces, municipalities, area and ward councils, outer islands and rural communities do not share identical hazards, evacuation paths or communication access. A plan that works in Port Vila may not work on another island. Communities should therefore use their local maps, signs, instructions and access information. The NEOC works with government agencies, the Vanuatu Humanitarian Team, the Vanuatu Red Cross, non-governmental organisations, United Nations organisations and private companies. Response functions include food security and agriculture, logistics, gender and protection, education, shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene, telecommunications, transport and infrastructure, and energy. Police, fire services, maritime services and the Vanuatu Mobile Force may support emergency operations. The NDMO coordinates relief, assessments and partner support. Formal international assistance follows the NDC and national coordination arrangements; disaster assistance is not automatically an individually enforceable entitlement to a particular item, payment or shelter place. Critical continuity depends on roads, shipping, aviation, telecommunications, electricity, water and sanitation, shelter and public buildings. Because Vanuatu is an island state, distance and damage to ports, airports, roads, power or telecommunications can delay warnings, rescue, relief and supplies. Infrastructure partners and private providers coordinate with the NEOC when essential services are disrupted. There is no single documented national schedule for warning or assistance delivery: timing depends on the hazard, island, access conditions and emergency level. Recovery follows damage and needs assessment rather than a single automatic payment scheme. The Disaster Recovery and Resilience Act No. 17 of 2024 received assent on 5 December 2024 and commenced on 11 December 2024. The National Recovery Committee and Recovery Operations Centre operate under the Department of Strategic Policy, Planning and Aid Coordination. A Post Disaster Needs Assessment supports a recovery strategy or plan. The National Disaster Recovery Framework provides a longer-term roadmap for restoring services, rebuilding resilience and making development risk-informed. People should not assume that a disaster automatically creates a guaranteed compensation or shelter entitlement. They should keep documents, report damage through the locally announced process and follow official information in English, French or Bislama.