Vanuatu Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction Policy 2016-2030.

The purpose of this policy is to: articulate Vanuatu’s vision, principles, strategic goals, priorities and strategies for climate change and disaster risk reduction; provide the framework for mainstreaming climate change and disaster risk reduction into sustainable development processes; improve coordination and planning of programmes, projects and funding across ministries, departments, development partners, academia, civil society organisations (CSOs) and the private sector; ensure that stakeholders, including donors, CSOs, the private sector and communities understand and align themselves and their actions with Vanuatu’s policy direction; strengthen the ability of governance and financial systems to access additional funds, enabling more equitable sharing in resourcing relative to Vanuatu’s high level of vulnerability; and facilitate accountability through monitoring, evaluation and reporting. Vanuatu has a rapidly growing population in both urban and rural areas, and there is a high level of reliance on natural resources for livelihoods and food security. Subsistence farming is a major feature of life in Vanuatu’s villages. These factors add to the vulnerability of communities to the impacts of climate change and disaster risks.