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Vanuatu

Many people in Vanuatu live in poverty, particularly in rural areas.

Around three-quarters of people in Vanuatu live in rural areas and are dependent on subsistence farming. Vanuatu has a young population, but the limited opportunities for young people means they are increasingly vulnerable to poverty and health problems.

Oxfam's work in Vanuatu is supporting a wide variety of services to improve the lives of people living in rural communities, including the expansion of vocational skills training for young people, and improving access to a sustainable clean water supply and safe sanitation.

Oxfam New Zealand in Vanuatu

Education

• Young people in rural Vanuatu get a second chance at an education
  Too many young people are pushed out of formal education each year in Vanuatu. But with Oxfam's support, a network of small rural training centres is giving them new opportunities to learn and build a brighter future for themselves and their families.
• Built to last: building safe, cyclone-proof training centres
  Oxfam is supporting the design and construction of rural infrastructure, including classrooms, water supply services and toilets. Design and construction of the infrastructure is undertaken by students trained at the Vanuatu Rural Development Training Centres.
• Health education on HIV and AIDS
  Drama group Wan Smolbag provide education on reproductive health, including sexually transmitted diseases and HIV and AIDS, through radio and theatre.

Improving livelihoods

• Rural training centres are equippping young people with new skills
  This is helping students find jobs, especially in mechanics, homecare and construction.
• Connecting communities
  Yumi Konek is helping isolated islands keep in touch with the rest of the world and teaching communities new IT skills.

Safe water and sanitation

• Water for rural communities
  Oxfam is working with the Vanuatu Rural Development and Training Centre Association to help rural communities build water supply services and sanitation facilites at Rural Training Centres.
• Strategy for sustainable water supply
  Oxfam worked in Vanuatu from 2005 to 2008 with the government, the private sector, and local organisations to develop a National Water Resource Strategy.

Vanutau profile

Vanuatu – formerly the New Hebrides – gained independence in 1980, following 70 years of joint British and French rule.

• Read the Vanuatu country profile

Our partners

• Find out more about the organisations Oxfam is working with on the ground in Vanuatu

Oxfam Unwrapped in Vanuatu

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