The Vanuatu Community-Based Climate Resilience Project (VCCRP), in partnership with the Department of Water, has launched its first-ever Watershed Management Awareness Campaign in several communities across Sanma Province.

The first training took place two weeks ago in the West Malo Area Council, and continued last week in South Santo Area 1, covering the communities of Pakataora, Natchara, and Tanavusvus.

Renaud Tsione, VCCRP’s Provincial Coordinator in Sanma, said the program is a key step in helping communities protect their freshwater sources.

“I’m in South Santo running a Community-Based Watershed Management training. It’s designed to help communities protect their water sources. This is the first awareness program VCCRP is rolling out—last week we were in Malo, and now we’re in South Santo,” Tsione said.

The training didn’t just focus on water protection. Officials from the Departments of Forestry and Agriculture joined the sessions to explain the vital link between watershed conservation, tree planting, and sustainable land use.

Community members were encouraged to plant trees around watershed areas to reduce soil erosion and mitigate flood risks.

The campaign also aims to strengthen public awareness about how to keep drinking, cooking, and washing water clean and safe—while preparing communities to better adapt to the long-term impacts of climate change.