Sitting in the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” Vanuatu is an archipelago of around 80 volcanic islands. It is a carbon-negative country – meaning it absorbs more emissions than it produces – and in 2021 it produced less than 0.01% of global CO2 emissions. Yet it is one of the most climate vulnerable countries globally, and faces ever increasing threats from rising sea levels, ocean acidification, and natural hazards, which are becoming stronger and more frequent. It is truly on the front line of the climate emergency.
Shelter Focal Points: supporting communities to rebuild their homes
Image: Graduates from the Shelter Focal Point training in Vanuatu
In 2023, Cyclones Judy and Kevin hit Vanuatu within three days of each other, affecting 80% of the population and, in some areas, destroying or severely damaging 90% of houses. In the wake of the cyclones, CARE trained around 70 Shelter Focal Points (SFPs) in Vanuatu: community members who ensure vulnerable families and those with special needs are given priority assistance in rebuilding their homes.
These households are supported with the tools and techniques to rebuild, whilst other households are shown how to do the same themselves. This approach ensures that recovery is led by communities themselves, equipped with the know-how to build stronger and more resilient structures and with skills that can be used time and again.
Women and girls are at the forefront of adapting to climate devastation
Women and girls have a key role to play in confronting the reality of climate change. As extreme weather and temperature shifts disrupt livelihoods, women and girls are often the hardest hit. As world leaders gather at COP28, CARE is elevating the voices and stories of GenAdapt - the women and girls on the frontlines of the climate crisis, working tirelessly to adapt to a devastating new climate reality for themselves, their families and communities.
Here we speak to Lina and Marie, two women from Vanuatu who are at the forefront of adapting to climate devastation. They have taken on roles as Shelter Focal Points to lead their communities in the recovery from Cyclones Judy and Kevin.
Lina
Can you explain a little about what you do as an SFP? What motivated you to take on this role?
My name is Lina, and I am from Lauanpakil village. I attended the SFP training to help my community. I think it helps everyone lot. There are a lot of roles, and it’s not only men who take on these responsibilities but also women who work as Shelter Focal Points in their community in times of disaster.
Can you tell us a little about the extreme weather events you’re experiencing in Vanuatu? How are these impacting you and your community – women and girls in particular? How are you adapting to them?
My community is situated on the coast and faces the most damage during cyclones, as strong winds and seas destroy the crops. Shelter is badly damaged during cyclones. Life is not easy. Mothers and girls are not happy, they feel bad during cyclones and need help.
I think most responsibility goes to parents to find a way to survive and adapt during cyclones.
Why is it important for you, as a woman, to be leading your communities during disaster response and recovery?
It is very important because the shelter training I attended provided me with the skills and taught me ideas on how to lead the people in my village to stay safe during a disaster.
Can you tell us about how the rebuilding techniques you’ve been trained on as an SFP have benefited women or people with disabilities specifically?
There were a lot of key messages, but one skill I learnt, that is important to me as a leader, is the shelter techniques of ‘bracing.’ I did not understand it before the training, but it is important because it holds the house strong and balanced during a cyclone. The technique is constructed by crossing support logs over a shelter to keep it strong.
Do you have a message for world leaders about what they should be doing to combat climate change?
I think leaders should have more concern for us, in terms of the continuous disasters we are facing."
They should ensure their decisions do not contribute to the effects of climate change that are continuously affecting us in Vanuatu.
Image: Cyclone damage in Vanuatu © Valerie Fernandez/CARE
Marie
Can you explain a little about what you do as an SFP? What motivated you to take on this role?
My name is Marie Isaac, I am from Laur community in North-West Tanna. In the SFP training, I was very interested to learn about traditional shelter practices that were used in the past.
Can you tell us a little about the extreme weather events you’re experiencing in Vanuatu? How are these impacting you and your community – women and girls in particular? How are you adapting to them?
My community is highly vulnerable and always faces severe damage by cyclones and also droughts during dry seasons. During drought season, there is a shortage of water and during a cyclone, all trees are damaged, leaving us with few small trees and limited shelter.
Why is it important for you, as a woman, to be leading your communities during disaster response and recovery?
I think women can also take the lead during cyclones, not only boys and men but women can also help to build shelter."
Can you tell us about how the rebuilding techniques you’ve been trained on as an SFP have benefited women/people with disabilities specifically?
I learned about the six Shelter Focal Point key messages, including what it means to build in a ‘safe place’ and how to build a new, safe house.
Why is it so important that we focus on the needs of women and people with disability during disaster response?
The training will help the vulnerable groups including people with disabilities, pregnant mothers and the elderly a lot. It is important to focus on these vulnerable groups because they find it harder to move quickly in times of disaster.
How has the community responded to women being in the role of SFP? Has this changed over time?
When I was selected as the Shelter Focal Point in my community, my community was very happy. It is also an opportunity to revive the traditional types of shelter, such as ‘Nimalatan’, our cyclone-resistant traditional house in Tanna.
Do you have a message for world leaders about what they should be doing to combat climate change?
Leaders of the world should always have a positive mindset. I thank them for their support and help to rebuild communities in this time of disaster.
We should try to decrease the emissions and pollution that are causing climate change."
