Vanuatu outlines policy to protect people affected by natural disasters

Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-28 21:44:47|Editor: Yurou
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SUVA, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Vanuatu now has a comprehensive and clear policy to guide national efforts to protect and support people who are internally displaced by disasters, Vanuatu's Daily Post reported on Friday.

Vanuatu Minister of Climate Change and Natural Disasters (MOCC) Ham Lini officiated the launching of the Climate Change and Disaster-Induced Displacement Policy on Wednesday.

Disasters include evictions, land conflicts and other development crisis. This new policy will be integrated into the Vanuatu government and non-governmental partner's operational plans. It outlines the responsibilities of government authorities and humanitarian agencies in addressing displacement needs and risks.

Whether temporary or permanent displacement, the government has the obligation to ensure the movement of people takes place with dignity and appropriate safeguards and human rights protection in place.

"The policy focuses on reinforcing family and kinship as the safety nets for Ni-Vanuatu people, to improve the way we as a nation manage internal displacement," Lini said.

Vanuatu is ranked the most at risk disaster country in the world. This means that the lives of the people are at risk of sudden natural disasters like floods, cyclones, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions which can trigger displacement of affected communities.

Climate change on the other hand, remains the most significant threat to human security and sustainable development of a Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like Vanuatu.

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