Vanuatu has made history as the first country in the world to receive technical support from the Santiago Network to tackle climate-related loss and damage.
This announcement was made during the UN Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction, in a session focused on climate action and disaster preparedness. Ms. Carolina Fuentes Castellanos, Director of the Santiago Network, officially confirmed the support.
The milestone follows the December 2024 announcement, marking a major step in global climate action and positioning Vanuatu as a leader in addressing the impacts of climate change.
Minister of Climate Change, Hon. Ralph Regenvanu, welcomed the support, stating that it will help Vanuatu develop a long-term plan to support communities affected by climate change.
“We want to understand what communities are experiencing in terms of loss and damage and how best we can respond with financial assistance,” said Minister Regenvanu. “We also want to set up a way for communities to directly access funding to deal with their losses.”
Vanuatu plans to use this technical support to develop a proposal seeking over USD 20 million (approximately 2 billion Vatu) from the USD 700 million Loss and Damage Fund available to vulnerable nations.
The Santiago Network is working closely with national institutions and community partners through a Loss and Damage Technical Committee, which operates under the National Advisory Board. The committee includes representatives from government, civil society, and local communities.
“We’re making sure that we get all inputs from all levels so the response matches the real needs of the people,” Minister Regenvanu explained.
He emphasized that other countries preparing to work with the Santiago Network must ensure community voices come first, even before national-level plans.
This support places Vanuatu at the forefront of global climate diplomacy and shows its commitment to building resilient systems and securing financial justice for those most affected by the climate crisis.
Photo credits: Opportunities for Youth
