Supporting Vanuatu as it prepares its food system for disasters in peacetime

July 29th, 2024

Vanuatu is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to natural disasters, and frequently experiences cyclones, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The compounding effects of disasters, climate change, and economic vulnerabilities significantly threaten the sustainability of Vanuatu’s food system.

The nation’s reliance on subsistence agriculture and fisheries, combined with limited infrastructure and access to markets, further exacerbates these challenges. A shift away from traditional diets towards processed foods high in sugar and fats is resulting in rising rates of non-communicable diseases and poor nutritional outcomes. This is exacerbated by food imports playing a crucial role in post disaster recovery.

The complex and interconnected nature of Vanuatu’s food systems requires an integrated and collaborative approach to enhancing resilience.

Together with partners in Vanuatu, we are scoping a pilot activity to look at how resilience can be built into the food system in different stages of disaster management. It will investigate and identify key components that contribute to a resilient food system system in Vanuatu, drawing on successful examples of resilience and disaster recovery.

Two goats

Food systems and nutrition: Exploring pathways to enhanced nutrition security for humans and animals in the Pacific

This multi-stakeholder collaboration between SPC, CSIRO, Solomon Island National University, University of Wollongong and the Government of Solomon Islands is building the capacity of decision makers to navigate potential disruptions from significant climate risks impacting access to nutritious food, including locally grown crops and coastal seafood, and affecting food transport infrastructure that supports local and imported food.

Researchers will draw on climate projections to understand key risks to food systems and develop strategies for resilient and nutritious food systems across crops and soils, nutrition and health, coastal fisheries and transport networks.