Port Vila, Vanuatu - The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Pacific Community (SPC) – in collaboration with the Government of Vanuatu – have conducted a Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) Lessons Learned Workshop to assess support provided to Vanuatu in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone (TC) Judy and Kevin.

The PDNA aimed to assess the damage and impact of TC Judy and Kevin, estimate recovery needs, and inform Vanuatu's short, medium, and long-term recovery plan aligned with Vanuatu’s overall National Sustainable Development Plan 2016-2030.

With a population of just over 300,000 people, Vanuatu is one of the most at-risk and disaster-prone nations across the world. Natural hazards confronted by Vanuatu include cyclones, volcanic eruptions, floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, droughts, and sea level rise.

TC Judy struck Vanuatu on 1 March 2023, with TC Kevin making landfall just two days later. According to Vanuatu’s National Disaster Management Office, a total of 197,388 people were affected by TC Judy and Kevin, representing approximately 66 percent of the total population.

In his opening address, John Ezra, Director – Department of Strategic Planning, Policy and Aid Coordination within the Office of the Prime Minister, noted that “the purpose of the workshop is to get perception and feedback from all participants regarding the importance of the PDNA exercise.”  

Officials from the Government of Vanuatu alongside development partners attended the workshop, with lessons learned to be documented and used to improve the effectiveness of PDNA moving forward in Vanuatu. These lessons will also be shared with the broader Pacific community of practice as part of peer-to-peer collaboration on improving PDNA across the region.  

Mr. Ezra added that quality data was essential when it comes to informing future PDNA activities.  

“The workshop endeavors to acquire appropriate reflections on the importance of baseline data information and its relevance to PDNA, crafting consensus on the way forward with clear recommendations, actions, responsible parties and timelines,” he said.  

The TC Judy and Kevin PDNA Report and associated Recovery and Resilience Plan were endorsed by the Vanuatu Committee of Ministers at their deliberations in June 2023.  

UNDP Pacific Resident Representative, Munkhtuya (Tuya) Altangerel said that for resilient and effective recovery to take place, preparedness was essential.  

“I commend the Government of Vanuatu and development partners for their efforts in post-disaster recovery. As climate change induces more frequent and more volatile disasters, preparedness is key. The cost of preparedness is more than three times lower than the cost of recovery,” she said.  

The workshop was held from 16-17 October at the Ramada Resort, Port Vila.  

For further media enquiries please contact:

Paula Cirikiyasawa, Country Project Coordinator | Tel: +(691) 320 4456 | paula.cirikiyasawa@undp.org