Vanuatu
Snapshot
- The population of 234,000 (census 2009) is increasing rapidly
- The country is made up of 83 islands.
- Close to 80 percent of the population live in rural areas.
- Tourism and related construction, the Recognised Seasonal Employers (RSE) Scheme, and offshore financial services are important sources of revenue.
- After tourism and seasonal labour, the main sources of foreign exchange (excluding ODA) are kava, copra, beef, and cocoa.
Development challenges
- As an archipelago nation, the central government faces huge challenges in ensuring all provinces have adequate access to services.
- The relocation of more people to urban areas is putting increased stress upon already inadequate public utilities.
- Youth unemployment is high and formal sector jobs are limited
- 20 % of the population have no health care services nearby
- 90 % of primary school aged children are enrolled in school, but only 66 percent reach grade eight
- There is broad recognition of the need to strengthen good governance.
New Zealand Aid Programme activities
Vanuatu participates in New Zealand regional programmes estimated to bring an extra $7 million worth of development support.
The New Zealand Aid Programme activities in Vanuatu are based on the overall aid programme mandate of economic development, education, and governance (including law and justice).
The New Zealand and Vanuatu governments have recently signed the Joint Commitment for Development(PDF 128KB) which establishes a shared vision for achieving long-term outcomes.
Economic development
Economic development is a key focus of New Zealand’s country strategy in Vanuatu. Both the New Zealand and Vanuatu governments agree that the private sector plays an important role in leading the economic development of the country. New Zealand is increasing support in this area, particularly to improve the benefits of tourism to Ni-Vanuatu people.
The New Zealand Aid Programme currently supports:
- Department of Forestry for tree nurseries and forestry training
- Vanuatu Rural Development Training Centres Association for vocational training of rural youth
- Improvements to inter-island shipping services through better wharves, and safety and market regulations (pending)
- Ministry of Lands for improved security of tenure and more rapid resolution of land disputes.
Education
Improving access to, and the quality of, basic education and workforce training are priorities to help Vanuatu achieve its goal of a quality education for all. The New Zealand Aid Programme, AusAID and UNICEF are helping build the ability of the Ministry of Education to better deliver education services under the Vanuatu Education Road Map (VERM).
- provision of school grants for children in years one to six to replace fees paid by parents and encourage more children to attend school
- building classrooms and water tanks
- providing reading books and stationery to primary schools
- supporting development of a national curriculum and curriculum standards.
To assist Vanuatu in meeting its human resource needs, the New Zealand Aid Programme funds scholarships for study at New Zealand and Pacific tertiary institutions. The scholarships programme is supplemented by a Short-Term Award Scheme to cater for professional training or attachment to a New Zealand organisation to gain hands-on experience.
Enhancing Law and Justice and Good Governance
The New Zealand Government recognises that effective governance is essential for reducing poverty and creating sustainable development.
New Zealand has a well established and long-term commitment to help the Vanuatu Government improve law and order through the new Vanuatu Corrections Service.
The Department of Corrections is responsible for the prison operations and establishing a new probation service. New Zealand Aid Programme-funded in-country advisers work alongside local staff as part of an institutional strengthening programme.
The Judiciary is also supported through the placement of a New Zealand judge who sits on the Vanuatu Supreme Court.
It also recognises the need for increased participation by civil society in policy formulation and decision-making, and community provision of social development.
The New Zealand Aid Programme funds:
- Wan Smol Bag, a local non-governmental organisation that works with chiefs, rural communities, youth, women's organisations, teachers and the police to raise awareness of the workings of government and people's rights.
- Vanuatu Women’s Centre, which plays an effective role in addressing domestic violence against women and families in Vanuatu.
- Vanuatu Association of Non-Government Organisations (VANGO), the national focal point for civil society organisations in Vanuatu.
- Department of Local Authorities, the focal point for decentralisation.
