25 July 2024, Port Vila, Vanuatu – Due to high exposure to extreme natural events, the Pacific region continues to face the highest disaster risk each year. The World Risk Report ranks Vanuatu as the world’s most at-risk country to natural disasters and extreme weather events, with climate change as the greatest existential threat to the well-being and livelihoods of its people and the environment.
Since its inception in 2018, the Vanuatu Klaemet Infomesen blong Redy, Adapt mo Protekt (Van-KIRAP) Project has been a cornerstone for climate resilient development in Vanuatu. The project has expanded the use of Climate Information Services (CIS) in five targeted sectors: tourism, agriculture, infrastructure, water and fisheries.
Van-KIRAP has continued to build local technical capacity in harnessing and managing climate data, developing and fostering the use of CIS tools, and disseminating tailored climate information.
Large volumes of data records have been digitally converted into electronic format, and are now available for assessing climate trends in Vanuatu. Climate and Oceans Observations have been strengthened through the enhancement of the Vanuatu Climate Observations Network across 16 new locations.
The project has also seen the development of the Sarakata Flood Management Plan and installation of its Early Warning System.
In the Infrastructure Sector, a review and update of the Vanuatu Rural Road Design Guide was conducted to identify climate resilience issues. The updated version takes into account climate change projections and rainfall/temperature intensities to ensure climate proofing.
A significant milestone for the Van-KIRAP Project is the groundbreaking for the Vanuatu Weather Radar System, which will greatly boost the capacity of the country’s weather monitoring and early warning systems. The radar system will ensure that high quality data for planning and responding to climate variability and change is available and accessible for decision makers and end-users
These achievements and many others were highlighted during the Seventh Van-KIRAP Project Steering Committee Meeting convened at the Grand Hotel in Port Vila on 25 July 2024.
The Project Steering Committee Meeting provided an opportunity for the implementation partners to report back on project activities and for key stakeholders to discuss and map out the way forward for the project.
Chair of the Seventh Van-KIRAP Project Steering Committee Meeting, Acting Director Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department (VMGD), Mr Fred Jockley, welcomed the meeting participants and acknowledged the partnerships that have made the project possible.
He said, “The Van-KIRAP Project has been a great example of a partnership-executed project, and the lessons learned from here will help to shape many future Pacific initiatives for climate resilient development”.
“We have come a long way since inception, and this would not have been possible without our project partners, from the implementation partner to all the key sectors, and the Project Management Unit, I thank you all for your commitment and support”.
A five-year, USD 22 million project funded by the Green Climate Fund, the Van-KIRAP Project is implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment (SPREP).
SPREP Director General, Mr Sefanaia Nawadra also commended the collaborative efforts between partners and stakeholders. He said, “Van-KIRAP has exemplified the technical capacity of the Pacific region to deliver on such projects. We have the expertise locally and we have used these to meet our targets”.
“This project has not only been valuable to Vanuatu, but to the Pacific region. I want to thank the Vanuatu Government for the leadership you have shown through Van-KIRAP. The governance arrangements that you have in-country, have contributed to your exemplary leadership throughout this project.”
Following the Steering Committee Meeting was the launch of the Vanuatu Climatology Maps and the groundbreaking ceremony for the Vanuatu Weather Radar System on 29 July 2024.Both are key outcomes under the project.
The Vanuatu Klaemet Infomesen blong Redy, Adapt mo Protekt (Van-KIRAP) project is a five-year, USD 22 million project which aims to support climate resilient development in Vanuatu through the development, communication, and application of climate information services to benefit agriculture, fisheries, tourism, infrastructure, waste sectors and communities. It is funded by the Green Climate Fund and implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme in partnership with the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-hazards Department, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Australian Bureau of Meteorology, and APEC Climate Center.
For more information, please contact Mr Sunny Kamuta Seuseu, at [email protected].