30 July 2024, Port Vila, Vanuatu – Vanuatu receives the highest number of cyclones than any other country in the Southwest Pacific region. It also remains to be the most vulnerable country in the world to natural disasters and remnants of twin cyclones Judy and Kevin in early 2023 can still be seen in Vanuatu to date. With the increasing vulnerability to the climate crisis and disaster events, the need for timely and precise weather information to enhance Vanuatu’s early warning services could not be understated.

On the eve of Vanuatu’s 44th anniversary of independence, the nation celebrated a significant milestone through the Groundbreaking Ceremony of its first Weather Radar System. The ceremony also signifies Vanuatu’s elevation in the Pacific region, joining ranks of Australia, Fiji, New Caledonia and New Zealand as one of the few countries with weather radar capabilities. 

Funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) through the Vanuatu Klaemet Infomesen blong Redy, Adapt mo Protekt /Climate Information Services for Resilient Development Planning in Vanuatu project (Van-KIRAP), the advanced system will offer timely and precise weather information, enhancing Vanuatu’s early warning services and enabling effective monitoring of severe weather events.

Vanuatu Prime Minister, Honourable Charlot Salwai joined the celebrations to officiate the groundbreaking. “The weather radar is not only timely, but also essential for our ongoing commitment to build the resilience of our people through early warnings and disaster preparedness”, he said. 

“My government welcomes this initiative on behalf of the Vanuatu people, and we acknowledge all those who have been involved. This is an investment that we as government owe our communities, to further enhance our weather forecasting capabilities and our abilities to monitor and track tropical cyclones and severe weather events.”

The long-term collection of data from the weather radar will reveal long term trends of the observed weather which will be useful in understanding how climate is changing over time. The data will indicate how climate change will continue to impact different regions of Vanuatu, which is crucial for effective national climate adaptation planning, for local sectors and communities.

Jointly implemented by the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazards Department (VMGD) and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), the Van-KIRAP Project engaged Vaisala Pty Limited, headquartered in in Helsinki, Finland and a regional office in Australia, to supply this state-of-the-art equipment arriving in Port Vila before the end of the year. 

The radar equipment will include a radar tower, 22 meters in height with radar transmitter shell, a diesel generator with back-up power, Uninterrupted Power Supply for all site equipment and Radar Test and Calibration equipment set. The central site server, workstations and software modules will be housed at the VMGD head office. VMGD technicians will undertake factory training in Finland to learn about components of the weather radar and onsite training during installation of the weather radar.

Director General for SPREP, Mr Sefanaia Nawadra commended the demonstrated leadership from the Vanuatu Government. 

“I express my gratitude to the Government of Vanuatu for your genuine partnership and cofinancing contributions. Your leadership and support have been instrumental in the successes of the Van-KIRAP Project and the procurement of the weather radar system.”

He further affirmed the support of the Secretariat to Vanuatu as one of its Member countries. “The weather radar is SPREP’s commitment to our members in building their resilience to climate change impacts and strengthening national capacity to fulfill the priorities enshrined in Vanuatu’s National Sustainable Development Plan – The People’s Plan 2030.”

“SPREP remains committed to providing technical assistance and support to the Government of Vanuatu through the VMGD. Our dedicated Vanuatu-based staff, along with the entire Secretariat team, will continue to be at your service.”

The Vanuatu Weather Radar System represents a critical investment into national infrastructure, one that will safeguard lives, protect property, and support the sustainable development of Vanuatu. The initiative embodies the collective dedication by the Vanuatu people to confronting the challenges posed by climate change and exemplifies the nation’s proactive approach to disaster risk response.

The Vanuatu Klaemet Infomesen blong Redy, Adapt mo Protekt (Van-KIRAP) project is a five-year, USD 22 million project which aims to support climate resilient development in Vanuatu through the development, communication, and application of climate information services to benefit agriculture, fisheries, tourism, infrastructure, water sectors and communities. It is funded by the Green Climate Fund and implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme in partnership with the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazards Department, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Australian Bureau of Meteorology, and APEC Climate Center. 

For more information, please contact Mr Sunny Kamuta Seuseu, at [email protected] .