LocationsVanuatu Strengthens Disaster Recovery Governance Through Consultation of Housing, Energy and Recovery Financing Frameworks
June 11, 2026
Port Vila, Vanuatu – The Government of Vanuatu, through the Department of Strategic Policy, Planning and Aid Coordination (DSPPAC) under the Disaster Recovery Coordination Unit, the Department of Urban Affairs and Planning (DUAP) the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO and Department of Energy (DOE), convened a national Consultation Workshop on Sectoral Recovery Guidelines and Strengthening Recovery Governance Capacities in Port Vila.
The workshop brought together government institutions, development partners, technical experts, civil society organisations, financial actors, and international agencies to strengthen the country’s disaster recovery systems.
The workshop focused on consultations of three key recovery instruments developed under the Strengthening Recovery Capacities Vanuatu Project, supported through the African Caribbean and Pacific Groups of States (ACP) global initiative on Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance and Recovery Capacities supported by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The workshop reviewed and refined:
- The Housing Sector Recovery Guideline
- The Energy Sector Recovery Guideline
- The Disaster Financing Strategy and Recovery Financing Architecture
The initiative comes as Vanuatu continues to face increasing climate and disaster-related risks and remains one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, with disasters estimated to cost approximately six per cent of the country’s GDP annually. Recent events, including Tropical Cyclones Judy and Kevin, as well as the 2024 Port Vila earthquake, have further highlighted the urgent need for stronger recovery governance systems and operational recovery tools. Once finalized, the guidelines will help ensure that recovery efforts are faster, more coordinated and resilient, reducing disruptions to essential services, livelihoods and economic activity while better protecting vulnerable communities.
Manager to the Disaster Recovery Coordination Unit (DRCU) on behalf of Director Department of Strategy, Policy, Planning and Aid coordination, Mr Peter Korisa.
At the opening of the workshop, Mr. Peter Korisa, the Manager to the Disaster Recovery Coordination Unit (DRCU) on behalf of Director Department of Strategy, Policy, Planning and Aid coordination, highlighted the importance of moving beyond rebuilding toward resilient recovery systems that can better protect communities and national development gains.
“Recovery cannot simply mean rebuilding what was lost. But rather Recovery must strengthen resilience, reduce future risk, and support long-term sustainable development.”
The manager added that while Vanuatu already has strong national frameworks such as the National Sustainable Development Plan, the National Disaster Recovery Framework, the National Energy Road Map (NERM), New Housing policy and the National Disaster Risk Financing Policy, the challenge remains translating these frameworks into practical operational guidance.
Speaking on behalf of UNDP, Ms Sherryl Mahina, Vanuatu Area Coordinator for the UNDP Pacific Multi-Country Office, emphasised the importance of nationally led recovery systems that are grounded in local realities and capable of addressing increasingly complex disaster risks.
Vanuatu Area Coordinator for the UNDP Pacific Multi-Country Office, Ms Sherryl Mahina.
“Small Island Developing States such as Vanuatu remain at the frontline of climate and disaster-related challenges. Recovery is not only about restoring infrastructure and services. It is about strengthening governance systems, restoring livelihoods, reducing future risks, protecting the most vulnerable, and ensuring communities emerge stronger after disasters.”
Ms. Mahina noted that the workshop aimed to bridge the gap between policy and implementation by collaboratively strengthening practical, sector-specific recovery guidance for housing, energy, and recovery financing.
The Housing Sector session focused on reviewing the practicality and usability of the proposed Housing Sector Recovery Guideline, including building standards, data collection systems, resilience measures, insurance mechanisms, and technical support for self-builders at community level.
The Energy Sector discussions examined recovery planning approaches aligned with the National Energy Road Map, resilience standards, coordination mechanisms, and implementation systems necessary to restore and strengthen energy infrastructure following disasters.
Mr Matthew Tassale, Director of Energy at the Ministry of Climate Change Adaptation, Meteorology, Geo-Hazards, Energy, Environment and National Disaster Management, highlighted the critical role that resilient energy systems play in national recovery efforts.
“After disasters, the energy systems is one of the priorities for recovery. Following disasters, electricity is essential for healthcare services, communications, water supply, education, livelihoods, and emergency coordination. Strengthening energy recovery planning helps ensure communities can recover faster and more safely while reducing future risks.”
He stressed that strengthening recovery planning in the energy sector is particularly important for remote and outer island communities where prolonged disruptions can significantly affect essential services and local economies.
The final session of the day focused on Consultation of Vanuatu’s proposed Disaster Financing Strategy and Recovery Financing Architecture, including discussions around financing instruments, resource mobilisation, institutional arrangements, and the feasibility of establishing disaster reserve financing mechanisms to support future recovery efforts.
Throughout the workshop, participants engaged in facilitated group discussions and technical review sessions aimed at strengthening institutional coordination, improving implementation mechanisms, integrating Build Back Better principles, and ensuring the guidelines remain practical and operational across national, provincial, and community levels.
Vanuatu Green Transformation Project Manager, Mr Imran Khan presenting.
The workshop concluded with a consolidated list of technical recommendations, governance improvements, and priority actions that will be incorporated into the final versions of the guidelines and financing strategy before endorsement and future implementation. Once adopted, these instruments will provide government agencies and partners with clearer procedures, roles and financing mechanisms to support more effective recovery operations, helping communities restore services and livelihoods more quickly while strengthening resilience to future disasters.
The Strengthening Recovery Capacities Vanuatu Project forms part of the ACP-EU global programme on Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance and Recovery Capacities, supporting countries to strengthen disaster preparedness, recovery systems, and long-term resilience in alignment with the Sendai Framework, the Paris Agreement, and the Sustainable Development Goals.
For more information, please contact:
Daniel C. Gonzalez, Communications Analyst | UNDP Pacific Office | (E) daniel.calderon.gonzalez@undp.org
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