National Policy on Climate Change and Disaster-Induced Displacement, 2018 (Vanuatu)

The National Policy on Climate Change and Disaster-Induced Displacement seeks to guide emergency and development planners in cooperation with the Government of Vanuatu to respond to the needs of all displaced communities, people at-risk of displacement, displaced people, internal migrants, people living in informal settlements and host communities. The Policy intends to support government ministries in providing protection to displaced people at every stage of the displacement cycle, with the ultimate objective of achieving durable solutions for all people affected by displacement. Recognizing that planned relocation should be an option of last resort, the goal of the Policy is to strengthen existing planning initiatives, multi-hazards mapping, disaster-risk reduction and climate change adaptation efforts, to reduce displacement triggers to the extent possible. Should it be unavoidable for communities to avoid hazards, the Policy aims to ensure that learnings from previous relocation efforts, in the Pacific and globally, are taken into account so that the relocation can take place with dignity and with appropriate safeguards and human rights protections in place.