The Vanuatu Humanitarian Team Paolo Malatu VHT Coordinator Oxfam in Vanuatu pacifichumanitarian.info #phtpacific
Presentation outline: What and why of the VHT Overview of activities Achievements Challenges What we learned Moving forward 7th Annual PHT Regional Meeting 2
What is the VHT? Vanuatu Humanitarian Team (VHT) is a network for nongovernment humanitarian actors, the Red Cross and UN agencies. It has a membership of over 100 agency staff and VHT member agencies include: Vanuatu Red Cross, French Red Cross, Oxfam, Act for Peace, Live and Learn, GIZ, OCHA, UNICEF, WHO, Save the Children, CARE international, ADRA, etc. 7th Annual PHT Regional Meeting 3
Why was the VHT created? The VHT was created in 2011 to address the challenges in Vanuatu at the time: Emergency responses were slow and not coordinated. Women not included in the disaster assessment and aid distribution process. Small number of agencies operational in Vanuatu with different mandates and no common forum to meet or jointly plan programs. Global cluster concept designed on the basis of a large UN presence in country. No common approach to DRR & emergency response standards, SOP s or communication link to the NDMO at national and provincial level. 7th Annual PHT Regional Meeting 4
Aim and objectives of the VHT Aim: Women, girls, boys and men affected by disaster in Vanuatu are able to access timely and appropriate assistance Specific Objectives: Improved humanitarian coordination and preparedness planning Improved engagement between NGOs sector and government agencies in humanitarian activities & support the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) in its mandated disaster management responsibilities. 7th Annual PHT Regional Meeting 5
Overview of activities 2012-2014 Established and convened the VHT: 100+ members, MOU with the NDMO, facilitating information & lessons sharing, collective policy input Established & supported 6 clusters led by the government and co-led by VHT member agencies Facilitated CDC standardization processes and standardization of assessment forms for the NDMO and clusters Supported the NDMO to set up & train PDCs in 6 provinces Cyclone Alerts developed and broadcast nationally Supported short code messaging training and public information campaigns Support to the NDMO in 5 emergency responses 7th Annual PHT Regional Meeting 6
Multimedia 7th Annual PHT Regional Meeting 7
Achievements Our coordination of emergency responses got better and faster! The speed of assessment and aid delivery has improved average of 7 days from the impact of the disaster (previously 2 months ) Clusters were able to be mobilized in country to provide skilled personnel for technical assessments and recommendations suitable for the Vanuatu context. 7th Annual PHT Regional Meeting 8
Achievements Increased government and non-government involvement in the development and implementation of national disaster plans and policies. Provincial Disaster Committees established, trained & able to be mobilised during disasters. Collective national preparedness planning based on joint simulations, reflection workshops and information sharing (e.g. Prepositioned NFIs and human resources) 7th Annual PHT Regional Meeting 9
Achievements Women included in assessment and aid distribution teams since 2012 -it has enabled us to better identify and respond to the needs of women, girls and vulnerable people in disaster responses. Five simulations have been conducted at national and provincial levels with an average of 200 participants in each. A gender and protection cluster established 7th Annual PHT Regional Meeting 10
Achievements VHT s role formalised in: NDMO SOPs, National Disaster plans (cyclone and tsunami), representation on the National Advisory Board for CCA and DRR VHT has a governance group to jointly plan project development and discuss funding opportunities VHT recognized by UNOCHA as a model for coordination at the PHT annual meeting in 2012 7th Annual PHT Regional Meeting 11
VHT evaluation basic impact of the VHT develop common tools PDC formation VHT Impact Cluster Formation Improved assessments Capacity Building of NDMO Improved coordination 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 7th Annual PHT Regional Meeting 12
VHT in social network analysis Source: A. Vachette, 2014 7th Annual PHT Regional Meeting 13
Challenges Capacity gaps in response coordination at provincial level need continued support (evidenced in recent disaster responses) More work required on refining information management for the clusters and assessment teams. Need to have a more coordinated approach on initiating early recovery across clusters, agencies and donor partners Lack of funding and sustainable support for disaster coordination at national and provincial level 7th Annual PHT Regional Meeting 14
What have we learnt so far Fostering a network and clusters takes time investment for developing a VHT style of coordination requires a minimum of 3 years. Agencies find value in access to information and forums to jointly plan for disasters and design programs that support the NDMO and complement the work of other agencies. This has also been noted by donors. Simulation exercises and standardized public information messaging support communities to prepare for disasters and make informed decisions. 7th Annual PHT Regional Meeting 15
What have we learnt so far Matching VHT member efforts with Government commitments and funding for disaster preparedness and response results in a transparent and appropriate analysis of aid required and delivered. The cost of VHT was relatively low compared to other initiatives but arguably had a greater impact nationally and contributed to added value through facilitating greater connectivity with NDMO and other Vanuatu government and non government agencies (Independent evaluation). 7th Annual PHT Regional Meeting 16
Moving forward.. 7th Annual PHT Regional Meeting 17
In closing VHT has a coordinator to support the VHT to continue in Vanuatu for another 3 years. Don t underestimate importance of relationship building and shared commitment/vision of improved humanitarian sector - the key to early buy-in. The VHT was contextually driven can also be done in other countries if there is a focus on coordination, preparedness and response capacity building and development of clusters.. 7th Annual PHT Regional Meeting 18
Feedback from VHT stakeholders VHT has created a positive sense of progress and ownership and job satisfaction for the core people involved in it. That s more sustainable: people in the NDMO feeling more positive about what they re doing, clear about what they re trying to achieve and clear that they ve got more support to do it. That provides a stronger platform for the future Endline respondent 7th Annual PHT Regional Meeting 19
Feedback from VHT stakeholders My comment reflects one of the common needs in the province. I come from Penama. The VHT coordination is very important in our linkage from the national level into the province and into the communities. Penama Province staff member, national DRR workshop. 7th Annual PHT Regional Meeting 20
Feedback from VHT stakeholders Overall the sector has come forward in leaps and bounds in two years. VHT has done an amazing job in coordination; getting people together, getting people to the table to talk about coordination. That s started the momentum and I think it ll continue. Endline respondent. 7th Annual PHT Regional Meeting 21
For more information on the VHT See our website: http://phtpacific.org/pht-clusters-andcoordination-forums/vanuatu-humanitarian-team Or contact us: van.humanitarian.team@gmail.com and jenniferw@oxfam.org.au The VHT was funded by the European Commission for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO ) 2012-2014 7th Annual PHT Regional Meeting 22
Thank you! 7th Annual PHT Regional Meeting 23