20 March 2025, Lenakel, Vanuatu - Chief John Dick from Imaen village, Lenakel on Tanna is no ordinary leader. As a person living with a disability, he has long been an advocate for his community, ensuring that no one is left behind when it comes to disaster preparedness. This week, he joined the Vanuatu Meteorology Geo Hazard Department and Vanuatu Klaemet Infomesen blong Redi, Adapt & Protekt (Van-KIRAP) workshop in Tanna, a session designed specifically to equip people with disabilities with climate and disaster knowledge. Alongside other participants, Chief John is learning how to track weather patterns, understand early warning systems, and make informed decisions to protect his people.
Across Tanna and Malekula this week, VMGD and Van-KIRAP are bringing life-saving weather and climate information directly to the people, marking a historic shift in how World Meteorological Day and World Water Day are celebrated in Vanuatu. Instead of the usual events in Port Vila, this year’s activities are reaching rural communities with hands-on training, interactive discussions, and new tools to strengthen climate resilience. From early warning systems to the ClimateWatch app, these initiatives are ensuring that local leaders, students, and disaster committees have the knowledge and resources needed to protect lives and livelihoods in an increasingly unpredictable climate.
"The workshop provides guidelines on what actions to take during disasters. It also teaches which types of crops can be planted during the dry and wet seasons. As a chief, it is important to take this valuable information back and share it with the community," says Chief John.
Over the past two days in Norsup, Malekula, local stakeholders—including Area Administrators, Vanuatu Community Climate Resilience Program (VCCRP) officers, Community Disaster & Climate Change Committees (CDCCC), NGOs like the Red Cross, and youth representatives—gathered to learn how to access and use VMGD and Van-KIRAP services. A key focus was the ClimateWatch (CW) app, a practical tool that helps communities track climate patterns, integrate traditional knowledge with scientific data, and improve disaster preparedness. Interactive discussions and group exercises allowed participants to explore how they receive and interpret early warning messages in their communities and how these could be improved.
At the same time, VMGD and Van-KIRAP facilitated a major consultation with Provincial Disaster Officers (PDOs), Area Administrators, CDCCC members, and Community Climate Officers (CCOs), highlighting the critical role of Early Warning Systems (EWS). Through group discussions, practical demonstrations, and expert presentations, participants strengthened their understanding of forecasting tools, early warning dissemination, and disaster risk reduction strategies.
The training focused on bridging the gap between scientific climate forecasting and local community action, ensuring that early warnings reach people at the last mile.
Beyond the training workshops, the outreach program includes school visits, exhibitions, and awareness sessions aimed at inspiring the next generation of climate leaders. Secondary schools in Malekula and Tanna have had the opportunity to interact with meteorologists, explore career pathways in climate science, and learn how traditional knowledge plays a crucial role in local forecasting.
Another key component of this year’s program is the launch of Climate Maps for Malampa and Tafea Provinces, providing localized climate data that will help communities understand their specific risks and make informed decisions about their future.
With events continuing until Friday, March 21, 2025, VMGD and Van-KIRAP are calling on everyone in Lenakel, Tanna, and Lakatoro, Malekula to take part in this unprecedented initiative. By engaging with these activities, individuals and communities can strengthen their climate resilience, contribute to a safer Vanuatu, and take charge of their future in the face of a changing climate.
This is more than just a celebration—it’s a call to close the early warning gap and ensure that every community, no matter how remote, has access to the tools and knowledge needed to stay safe. If you’re in the area, don’t miss this opportunity to be part of Vanuatu’s climate resilience journey