Vanuatu boosts Climate Resilience to ensure safety of coastal populations

20 October 2025, Port Vila, Vanuatu – The Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department (VMGD) has significantly enhanced its capabilities in climate and ocean circulation at regional and coastal scales and modelling configuration. It follows the successful participation of Senior Climatologist, Mr. Joseph Worwor in the intensive Coastal and Regional Ocean Community (CROCO) Summer Training. 

Supported by the Climate Information Services for Resilient Development Planning (VanKIRAP) Project, the specialised training in New Caledonia aimed to deliver more accurate and timely information directly to Vanuatu’s communities, bolstering national resilience against climate and ocean hazards.

The two-week training programme, held from October 6 to 17, 2025, at the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD) in Nouméa, New Caledonia brought together atmospheric and oceanic scientists from across the Pacific region.

The primary goal of the CROCO Summer Training was to strengthen regional capacity for climate and ocean modeling. For Vanuatu, this capacity building is paramount for ensuring the safety and sustainability of its coastal populations.

The Van-KIRAP Project’s support for this training ensures that the expertise gained by the VMGD can be translated into improved services for the people of Vanuatu. The strengthening of scientific research capabilities and the improved ability to forecast climate and ocean conditions are specific goals of the larger SPREP’s Climate Information and Services Programme, which benefits small island developing states (SIDS) like Vanuatu.

"This strategic investment in our staff ensures that Vanuatu will lead its own ocean and climate forecasting, securing our nation's safety and self-reliance for the future." said Mr. Levu Antfalo, Director, VMGD.The enhanced capacity to implement complex modeling means the VMGD can contribute more effectively to regional forecasting projects. 

This translates into better warnings for cyclones, coastal flooding, abnormal ocean temperatures, and sea level variability. By having more precise local forecasts, local authorities, fishermen, farmers, and emergency services can make more informed decisions, helping to protect livelihoods and save lives in exposed communities.

Mr. Worwor received foundational and advanced instruction focused on critical areas of climate and atmospheric science. 

The training included series of lectures, hands-on practical work, covering everything from setting up working environments and compiling models to running realistic multi-month simulations and implementing nested and tidal simulations.

“I would like to acknowledge and sincerely thank Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), VanKIRAP, and VMGD for their support and for allowing me to take part in this numerical training” said Mr. Worwor.

By participating in such capacity-building programmes and pursuing further studies, VMGD will continue to strengthen its ability to develop regional climate, weather, and ocean models, added Mr Worwor.

About the VanKIRAP Project:

The Vanuatu Klaemet Infomesen blong Redy, Adapt mo Protekt (VanKIRAP) Project is funded by the Green Climate Fund and implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) in partnership with the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department (VMGD). The project aims to improve climate resilience in Vanuatu through the development and delivery of improved climate information services for agriculture, fisheries, tourism, infrastructure, water sectors and communities.

For more information please contact: Mr Sunny Kamuta Seuseu on email: [email protected]