People living in Port Vila will benefit from improved disaster preparedness and safer community facilities following the approval of a VT1.49 billion grant by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The funding is the third financing for the Greater Port Vila Urban Resilience Project and is provided through the Asian Development Fund.

Three new emergency shelters

The new financing will support the construction of three multipurpose emergency shelters in Agathis, Freshwind and Nambatri.

The shelters are designed to provide safe and resilient facilities for vulnerable communities during disasters, while also serving as community gathering spaces and markets during normal periods.

The project will also support the development of an emergency shelter strategy to assess shelter capacity, identify gaps and guide future investments.

ADB Regional Director for the Pacific Liaison and Coordination Office, Jyotsana Varma, said Vanuatu is highly exposed to natural hazards that are becoming increasingly frequent and severe.

“This additional financing will build on the strong foundation already established through the project in providing shelter during such emergent situations.”

Additional funding

The project is also supported by a VT666 million grant from the Green Climate Fund and a VT83 million in-kind contribution from the Government of Vanuatu.

By 2031, the project is expected to directly benefit at least 23,400 people, including 11,700 women, through improved access to resilient urban assets and services.

ADB’s financing for the project began in 2020 with a VT1.14 billion grant, followed by a VT345 million grant in 2022 to expand urban resilience planning and infrastructure investments and launch nature-based coastal protection measures in Greater Port Vila.

The latest financing will further expand the project’s focus on disaster preparedness and resilient community infrastructure across Greater Port Vila.