More than 30,000 people living in remote areas of Vanuatu are set to benefit from stronger, safer and more resilient healthcare services following the official signing of a new VUV 836 million programme between the Government of Vanuatu, the Government of Japan and UNICEF.
The agreement, signed in Tassiriki on Tuesday, will see 20 primary health care facilities upgraded over the next 36 months to better withstand cyclones, earthquakes, flooding and other climate-related disasters.
Vanuatu is recognised as one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. Recent cyclones and the 7.4 magnitude earthquake in 2024 disrupted health services for more than 80,000 people, exposing long-standing challenges faced by many community health facilities.
Across the country, about a quarter of health facilities do not have reliable electricity, 15 per cent have no access to water, 11 per cent have no toilets, and only 27 per cent have basic hygiene facilities. In addition, 89 per cent lack essential equipment for mothers, newborns and young children.
Minister of Health Hon. John Still Tariqetu said the project is a major step towards protecting people and strengthening national health services.
“Today we express our sincere appreciation to the Government of Japan and to our partners at UNICEF for supporting the strengthening of 20 primary health care facilities. We are building a safer, more resilient Vanuatu for ourselves, for our families and for generations to come.”
The upgraded facilities will receive safe water systems, improved sanitation and handwashing stations, solar power, reliable energy solutions, and essential maternal and child health equipment. Health workers will also receive training to use and maintain the new systems and to better prepare for emergencies.
UNICEF Pacific Representative (a.i) Roshni Basu said the programme is an investment in communities and the future of children in Vanuatu.
“This project will enable us to invest in climate-resilient infrastructure, workforce capacity and strengthen 20 primary healthcare facilities, impacting more than 30,000 people, especially children and women.”
Ambassador of Japan to Vanuatu H.E. Naohisa Okuda highlighted Japan’s commitment to supporting resilient health systems.
“This project will build stronger primary health care facilities and improve preparedness for emergencies, especially for children.”
With 357 health facilities in Vanuatu, from dispensaries to referral hospitals, this programme is seen as a starting point towards improving resilience across the wider health network.
