The Role and Capacity of Government in a Climate Crisis: Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu

Abstract

The integration of disaster risk reduction (DRR) with climate change adaptation (CCA) is globally recognized as a rational use of resources benefiting both areas, with a substantial theoretical literature now existing on the topic. Countries in the Pacific have began to implement the integration agenda, and for example Vanuatu has set up the necessary institutional structures to increase its resilience to disasters and climate change. However, the problem often is not the practical implementation of CCA and DRR integration but more systemic and contextual issues such as relationships, responsibilities, capacity and expectations between government agencies and other actors, such as international donors and non-governmental organizations. These points are illustrated with an examination of Vanuatu’s response to the recent category 5 cyclone, Tropical Cyclone Pam (TC Pam). In the context of CCA and DRR it provides an analysis of a range of systemic and contextual issues that emerged in the response and recovery process. Information on the cyclone response was collated from a variety of sources, including stakeholder interviews in Vanuatu. The results demonstrate a range of issues such as overlapping governance models employed by different stakeholders involved in the process, and differing views on government capacity to manage complex problems such as mega disasters.