From Sky to Soil: How Vanuatu is Rewriting the Rules of Climate Resilience

For the people of Vanuatu, a changing climate is not a distant theory. It is a daily reality. Ranked as the world's most at-risk nation for natural disasters, this Pacific archipelago faces an existential threat from intensifying cyclones, rising seas, and unpredictable rainfall. And for five years, one project set out to prove that while the islands are vulnerable, they are far from helpless.

The Vanuatu Klaemet Infomesen blong Redy, Adapt mo Protekt (VanKIRAP) project was a USD 22 million initiative funded by the Green Climate Fund and implemented by SPREP in partnership with the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department (VMGD). It has now reached its conclusion. What it leaves behind is a body of work that stretches from high-level climate science all the way to the last mile of rural communities: strengthened early warning systems, improved climate information services, and communities across Vanuatu better equipped to prepare, adapt, and protect themselves.

The full suite of resources, tools, and products developed under VanKIRAP are available through the Climate Information Services Directory. 

The "Sky": A Revolution in Monitoring

Until recently, Vanuatu relied largely on regional weather models. Today, the nation is celebrating a historic technological leap: the installation of its first C-band weather radar, a state-of-the-art system providing real-time, localized data on rainfall and storms for faster, life-saving warnings.

This "eye in the sky" is supported by a massive ground-level upgrade. The project has expanded the national network with 16 new Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) and the country's first Ocean Monitoring Network of six wave buoys. These tools replace manual reporting with 24/7 data, ensuring that when a storm surges, the information is accurate and immediate.

The value of this infrastructure was proven in December 2024, when a devastating earthquake struck Port Vila. VanKIRAP swiftly delivered 40 terabytes of network-attached storage, enabling VMGD's seismic team to process vast datasets without delay and issue timely alerts. "This support is a lifeline for Vanuatu," said VMGD Director Levu Antfalo.

The "Soil": Putting Science in the Hands of Farmers

Scientific data is only useful if it can be understood by those whose livelihoods depend on it. For Vanuatu's farmers, VanKIRAP launched OSCAR (the Tailored System of Climate Services for Agriculture), a mobile app that uses AI and climate models to provide real-time advice on planting and harvesting.

"Before the training, I would just plant my crops and hope," says Tanna farmer Rebecca Sam Naiu. "Now, I use climate information to plan for different conditions." This sentiment is echoed across the five target sectors: agriculture, fisheries, tourism, infrastructure, and water, where science is now a standard tool for decision-making.

The investment is paying dividends. Economic analysis shows that for every $1 invested in climate information services in Vanuatu, the nation gains between $1.90 and $4.50 in avoided damages. Under a severe warming scenario, dedicated CIS investment could save Vanuatu up to USD 83 million in avoided damages, nearly seven percent of its current GDP.

The Bridge: Fusing Tradition with Technology

One of VanKIRAP's most remarkable achievements is the ClimateWatch app, the first citizen science app in the Pacific. It allows Ni-Vanuatu to record observations of traditional indicator species, like the flowering of a banyan tree or the behavior of certain birds and send that data to scientists.

In East Epi, a 10-day mission engaged 133 community members across nine villages in documenting local indigenous indicators. "As mothers and gardeners, we see the small changes in the land and sea first. This information session gave us the confidence to record what we see using the ClimateWatch app," said Ms. Leimawa Simon of Maparawa Village.

By fusing ancestral wisdom with modern meteorology, the project ensures local knowledge is not lost but used to refine scientific forecasts. The VMGD Weather App, launched in February 2025, puts real-time forecasts, cyclone warnings, and geohazard alerts at citizens' fingertips—with offline access for remote areas.

The Resilience: Empowering Every Voice

VanKIRAP's impact is perhaps most visible in its commitment to inclusion. Through Community Climate Centres and specialized training, the project is nurturing a new generation of "Climate Champions" in remote villages.

In October 2025, the Nepul Community Climate Centre opened on North Ambrym, serving more than 3,700 people. A four-day training equipped 30 participants with practical skills in understanding weather patterns, seasonal forecasts, and geohazards. A core session focused on Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion, using a "Walk in Their Shoes" activity to simulate emergencies for people with visual, hearing, and mobility challenges.

This inclusive approach reached communities across Pentecost, where women and persons with disabilities were trained as certified "Climate Champions." "The community's response showed that they value blending our scientific work with their own traditional wisdom. It's this connection that builds real resilience," said Traditional Knowledge Officer Angeline Banga.

A Blueprint for the Future

As the project moves forward, it leaves behind a professionalized brand: "Klaemet Save" that signals trusted, actionable information for all. With a new National Climate Atlas and 700 climatological maps now available, Vanuatu no longer relies on guesswork.

"Investing in our Climate Information Services across our Pacific Islands can save us all millions," said SPREP Director of Climate Services Information Salesa Nihmei. "With better services, we can help protect our people, the most valuable of all".

The VanKIRAP model is now being hailed as a blueprint for the Pacific. By proving that global climate finance can be successfully translated into local technical capacity and community guardianship, Vanuatu is showing the world how to stay "Redi, Adapt, mo Protekt" in an uncertain age.

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]