National Policy on Climate Change and Disaster-Induced Displacement 2018.

This Policy on Climate Change and Disaster-Induced Displacement is a national policy with a cross-sectoral approach. The main purpose of this Plan is to help guide emergency and development planners to work together with the Government of Vanuatu to address the needs of all communities affected by displacement, including people at-risk of displacement, displaced people, internal migrants, people living in informal settlements, and host communities.
Food and nutrition security will be ensured during emergency and recovery stages by implementing a range of food security mapping, capacity building and training activities.
The resilience of the communities to climate change will be increased to minimize the devastating effects on the livelihoods, physical security, well-being of communities and the survival of socio-cultural systems. The coping capacities of all communities will be strengthened against natural hazards including extreme weather events such as floods, droughts and tropical cyclones as well as to seismic activity such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions which all pose risks to the internal displacement of vulnerable communities. The existing planning initiatives, multi-hazards mapping, disaster-risk reduction and climate change adaptation efforts will be strengthened to reduce the triggers of displacement as much as possible. The data collection on displacement and internal migration will be improved to promote evidence-based approaches to displacement. The displacement and migration considerations will be mainstreamed into key sectoral policies and operational plans in order to support durable solutions for communities affected by displacement. Emergency responses will be planned according to needs assessments, risk identification, and community intentions/aspirations surveys. The assistance will be provided to affected communities in accordance with the common standards for protection of all people affected by displacement to provide adequate standard of living, including at a minimum access to adequate food, water, housing health care and basic education. The new and existing settlements for displaced populations will be developed in compliance with existing environmental and ecosystem protection legislation and policy. The efforts will be strengthened to provide timely and appropriate support to restore livelihoods, agricultural, fisheries and livestock activities during recovery. Youth will be engaged in education, training and employment opportunities, as part of return, local integration and relocation planning. The role of women will be strengthened in the decision-making process including at community-level and sector-level planning and implementing stages. Capacity-building of all stakeholders will be enhanced to promote understanding of the policy and increase sensitivity to displacement issues. Provincial Disaster and Climate Risk Management Plans will be developed taking into account people living in informal settlements. Traditional knowledge of communities at risk of displacement will be mapped to link to displacement and adaptation planning.
The Ministry of Climate Change Adaptation, Meteorology, Geo-Hazards, Energy, Environment and Disaster Management shall be responsible for the implementation of the policy and shall work through an inter-ministerial committee including the Department of Strategic Policy, Planning and Aid Coordination of the PMO; National Disaster Management Office; National Advisory Board on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction; Department of Local Authorities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Malvatu Mauri. The effective partnerships will be developed with the private sector, non-governmental organizations, faith-based groups, international organizations and other development partners. A monitoring and evaluation framework will be developed by the Ministry of Climate Change Adaptation, Meteorology, Geo-Hazards, Energy, Environment and Disaster Management to support the implementation of the National Policy on Climate Change and Disaster-Induced Displacement. Review of the policy will be conducted every three to five years, to document progress towards implementation, gaps, challenges and ways to strengthen the policy over time.