Help Children in Vanuatu Rebuild and Thrive with UNICEF

Why UNICEF works in Vanuatu

Vanuatu is a nation comprised of 83 islands and atolls in the South Pacific Ocean. Given its high exposure to natural hazards, Vanuatu is vulnerable to disasters like cyclones and earthquakes, compounding challenges for children. Both the frequency and intensity of these natural disasters will only increase as climate change worsens.

UNICEF is on the ground in Vanuatu, supporting emergency relief efforts and humanitarian response as well as long-term recovery. When a 7.3 magnitude earthquake hit in December 2024, impacting tens of thousands of children, UNICEF was one of the first responders to dispatch first aid and crucial supplies.

Challenges facing children in Vanuatu

Children in Vanuatu face unique challenges due to the country’s location and vulnerability to natural disasters, compounding already existing humanitarian issues. Risks include:

• infrastructure collapse
• family separation
• school closures
• mental health issues
• limited access to quality health care, clean water and education
• geographic isolation and logistics challenges

Keep reading to learn more about how UNICEF is tackling these and other issues for the benefit of children in Vanuatu.

How UNICEF is making a difference in Vanuatu

UNICEF opened its Vanuatu field office in 2003 to advance efforts to promote the rights and well-being of every child, with a focus on the most disadvantaged children.

Field office staff are on the ground to ensure a swift response to emergencies, including the provision essential supplies and services and recovery support. These efforts typically include setting up temporary learning spaces, distributing health kits, providing child protection services and helping to rebuild critical infrastructure.

Health and nutrition programs

UNICEF in partnership with the Vanuatu Ministry of Health, focuses on the restoration of essential health and nutrition services in the aftermath of emergencies, and sustaining those services to combat stunting and other forms of malnutrition and undernutrition among children and to protect against vaccine-preventable diseases.

These efforts include:

• catch-up immunization campaigns
• health screenings
• technical support and training of health workers
• cold chain equipment assessment and rehabilitation, especially in remote and outer islands
• provision of supplies like tents, midwifery kits, ready-to-use-therapeutic food (RUTF) for treatment of acute malnutrition, and children's mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) measuring tapes

Improving access to education

Although early education attendance is high in Vanuatu, enrollment drop when students reach secondary school. School completion rates for upper secondary are one of the lowest in the Pacific. When natural disasters hit, children are often unable to attend school due to unsafe conditions.

UNICEF is working to identify barriers to education for all children in Vanuatu and address those challenges to ensure equal access to learning.

Following the earthquake in December 2024, UNICEF and partners provided safe temporary learning spaces, School-in-a-Box and early childhood development kits to avoid learning disruptions.

UNICEF continues to work closely with the government, communities and partners to integrate disaster-resilient buildings as well as climate-adaptive measures into reconstruction efforts to reduce vulnerabilities and protect schools against future natural disasters.

Protecting vulnerable children

In Vanuatu and other Pacific Islands, domestic violence rates are among the highest in the world, harming children in the region. Parents involved in a violent relationship are more likely to harm or neglect their children, and witnessing domestic violence can result in mental health challenges due to emotional abuse.

In times of disaster, protecting vulnerable children becomes even more challenging and imperative. Following the earthquake in December 2024, many children in Vanuatu experienced trauma due to displacement and the humanitarian crisis, compounded by limited access to education, health care and psychosocial support. UNICEF addressed these needs through counseling, play therapy and creating safe spaces for impacted children.

Through the Just Play Program, UNICEF supported psychosocial outreach activities in affected communities, including evacuation centers.

UNICEF works to protect children in Vanuatu against all forms of violence by strengthening child protection systems. Working in partnership with the government and civil society organizations, UNICEF aims to:

• create and improve child protection laws and policies based on international standards
• enhance the capability of the social welfare, judiciary, police, health and education sectors
• inspire commitment from partners to plan and implement actions to address violence against children

Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) efforts

Access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) remains a critical issue in Vanuatu and across the Pacific Islands.

Only about half of the population of Vanuatu has access to basic sanitation services. As natural disasters continue to intensify due to climate change, these storms are wreaking havoc, destroying water supply systems and sanitation facilities, leaving children and families without access to essential services during and after emergencies. This increases the risk of malnutrition, diarrheal disease outbreaks and other health issues that disproportionately affect children.

Following the December 2024 earthquake, UNICEF prioritized quick fixes, restoring WASH services and providing WASH in School kits that included soap and portable handwashing stations to help keep children in school and learning safely.

UNICEF continues to work closely with the government, civil society organizations and other partners to strengthen systems and scale up climate- and disaster-resilient WASH services.

UNICEF also encourages the empowerment of children and their families with the knowledge, tools and resources they need to adopt safe and sustainable WASH practices. Some of this work includes:

• strengthening climate-resilient, sustainable WASH systems in communities, schools and health care facilities
• encouraging hygiene and sanitation behavior change through community education and programs
• improving the quality of data and research to drive advocacy for WASH improvements at scale

How to help

UNICEF will continue to work in Vanuatu and around the world to protect and empower all children, in times of emergency and stability. Ways to help:

• donate monthly
• fundraise for UNICEF
• advocate or volunteer

Help UNICEF reach more children in need. Please Donate

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is UNICEF working in Vanuatu?

UNICEF works in Vanuatu to help children and families affected by recurring natural disasters, including earthquakes and cyclones. The organization provides emergency relief and long-term support for health, education and protection.

What are the major challenges facing children in Vanuatu?

Children in Vanuatu face challenges such as displacement from disasters, lack of access to health care and education and limited clean water and sanitation. The remote location of many communities makes aid delivery complex.

How can I support UNICEF’s work in Vanuatu?

Help support children in Vanuatu by donating to UNICEF, starting a fundraiser or becoming a monthly donor to help sustain emergency response and recovery efforts. Donations will help fund UNICEF’s work in Vanuatu and around the world.

How does UNICEF help children recover from emergencies like the December 2024 earthquake in Vanuatu?

UNICEF provided emergency supplies, set up safe spaces and temporary schools, and continues to support health, nutrition and WASH services for thousands of children affected by the disaster.