The population of Vanuatu is largely reliant on the tourism and agricultural industries; industries that are very sensitive to political instability and natural disasters.

There are wide disparities in Vanuatu between the living standards of urban and rural populations, as well as poor access to social services like health care and education for people living on the outer islands.

According to AusAID 20% of the population of Vanuatu do not have access to health services and 25% of children below the age of 5 are underweight.

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Due to their dependence on agriculture and increasingly on tourism for the livelihoods of many of its inhabitants, Vanuatu is especially vulnerable to environmental damage caused by natural disasters such as earthquakes, cyclones and tsunamis.

AFAP is helping to mitigate this risk by implementing their Disaster Preparedness Program in Vanuatu. With its local partner the Foundation for the Peoples of the South Pacific Vanuatu (FSPV) they also focus on health, environment, governance and youth and women programs.

Past AFAP Programs

Disaster Preparedness Program

FSPV Programs

Governance

Voice and Choices- Good Governance

Environment

Coral Gardens

Health

Port Vila Youth Drop-in Centres

Pacific Action for Health Program
Vanuatu

The Pacific Action for Health program identifies needs and appropriate approaches to achieve sustainable improvement in preventing non-communicable diseases. The work is undertaken at the community level to identify target groups and key implementing agencies and works with them to coordinate community-based stakeholders meetings. This program has also established small grants and micro-credit funding schemes.

Masculinity, Mental Health and Violence Project

Advancing Health and Development for Youth