Country Report Vanuatu Ministry Infrastructure and Public Utilities. Application of Space Technology and the Geographic information system for DRR and Sustainable Development 18 th 22 nd December 2012 Thailand - Bangkok Mike. Sam WAIWAI- Senior Climatologist & Data Analyst 1 The Republic of Vanuatu Composed of more than 80 small islands, 65 of which are inhabited Capital City: Port Vila Land Area: 12,200km 2 Major languages: Bislama,English, French Major Religion: Christianity Life Expectancy: Male - 67 yrs, Female 70 yrs GDP per Capita: US$ 1,600 Population: 253,589 (VNS,2009) 85% of total population live in rural areas
Vanuatu s location in relation to the world VU? Why NEED Space Technology and GIS AND DRR FOR VANUATU Sits on the Pacific Rim of Fire. Sits on the subduction zone of two tectonic plates and subjected to frequent earthquakes. Sits on the Pacific cyclonic belt. Sits within 450,000 km2 of an Ocean waters Covers a land mass of 12,189 km2 900 km from Torres Group (Nth) to Aneiytum (South)
Tectonics Droughts Tsunami Volcano Earthquake Tsunami Earthquakes Volcanic Eruption Disasters in Vanuatu Earthquakes Fire Drought Volcano Volcanic Eruption Drought
Estimated Level of Vulnerability Countries Cyclon es Coastal Floodi ng River Tsuna mi Earthquake Drought Cook Islands M M L M M/L H nil FSM M H L H L/L H nil Fiji H H H H M/H M nil Kiribati L H nil H L/L H nil Marshall M H nil H L/L H nil Island Niue M H nil M L/L M nil Palau M M nil M L/L M nil PNG L H H H H M H Solomon Island H H H H H H H Volcanic Eruption Tokelau M H nil H L/L H nil Tonga H H M H H/L M H Tuvalu L H nil H L/L M nil Vanuatu H H H H H/H H H
DRM NAP 2006-2016 a Long term strategy Policy Vanuatu, the first country to develop NAP on DRR and DM 2006-2016 which was approved by the Cabinet as a supplementary to PAA The National Action Plan on DRR and DM 2006-2016 a Long term Policy Strategy of the Government. A link to Regional Framework for Action 2005-2015, the Hyogo Framework For Action 2005-2015 and the Pacific Plan Resolution. NAP contains 8 thematic areas and 51 Actions. NAP has two major Components...Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Management. NDRMO 2011-2012
What we are doing Strengthen and integrated institutional arrangement with Meteorology and Geo-hazard NDMO and other stakeholders. Strengthening governance and decision making arrangements other stake holders. Strengthen government commitment in the implementation of Disaster Risk Management in Vanuatu. Integration of DRR and DM into Finance and Budgeting and Economy. Provincial Disaster Plan, and Response Plan. Understand the Risk of Hazards around or in each Sector. Proactive Community base resilience. Challenge s Space and GIS applications for DRR is very low in the Developing Island countries such as Vanuatu due to lack of; Capacity building e.g. Human Resources who are expert in this areas. No proper tools equipment's such as the technologies and Scientific materials and right people to handle it. Institutional and expertise in different areas related to space and GIS applications is.
Way forward Using GIS technology we can analyze and see where natural disasters have previously occurred and how they have impacted the landscape. We can also try to predict where a natural disaster is most likely to occur." By understanding where disasters happen, the international community can develop new and more efficient methods to reduce future disaster risks. Space and GIS application can play a crucial role in supporting Disaster Risk Reduction. Therefore; The Government of Vanuatu should work together with donor partners to promote and exchange ideas of Space and GIS applications to reduce DRR/M Continued. There should be good working partnership in sharing skills and knowledge in promoting space and GIS Applications for DRR/M. Implement National Policies and plans to encourage Space and technology and GIS as a Government Priority Agenda ( PAA). In all levels. Regional to National level. Common understanding and coordination across government agencies to be strengthened to promote between Management authorities and Space agencies to reduce Disaster Risk Reduction. (DRR/M)
Conclusion As Vanuatu is rated high and more vulnerable to disasters Space technology and GIS applications for DRR is a MUST and priority. Better understanding where disasters happen. Predict where a natural disaster is most likely to occur in the future. And so that the communities can develop new and more efficient methods to reduce future disaster risks.