VanKIRAP and VBTC: Bringing Climate Information to Vanuatu’s People
Vanuatu, a country highly vulnerable to extreme weather events and climate change, has taken a significant step towards providing reliable climate and weather information to its citizens. The Climate Information Services for Resilient Development in Vanuatu project (VanKIRAP) has partnered with the Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation (VBTC), the national broadcaster, to ensure the dissemination of timely and relevant climate and weather information across the entire nation. This article explores the significance of this partnership and the positive impact it will have on the people of Vanuatu.
Addressing Vulnerability through Media Partnership:
Vanuatu’s vulnerability to the changing climate necessitates accessible and accurate climate and weather information for its population. The collaboration between VanKIRAP and VBTC aims to achieve this through two key strategies:
- Extending Reach: The partnership ensures the expansion of the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazards Department’s (VMGD) climate and weather information services throughout the entire Vanuatu archipelago.
- Incorporating Scientific Expertise: VMGD’s meteorology and climatology expertise will be integrated into VBTC’s news reporting, ensuring the inclusion of science-based information on climate, climate change, and extreme weather events.
Enhancements for VBTC’s Audience:
With the new partnership, VBTC’s audience will experience exciting changes in accessing climate and weather information. Here are some key enhancements:
- Dedicated Climate and Meteorology Team: Vanuatu will now have a dedicated team that will present daily weather and climate reports on Television Blong Vanuatu (TBV), Radio Vanuatu, and VBTC’s popular Facebook page (with 120,000 followers).
- Visual Explanations: Animated weather graphics will be introduced on TV to visually explain weather patterns and climate phenomena in Vanuatu.
- Accessible Programming: New television and radio programs will be introduced to make climate and weather topics easily understandable for everyone.
- Interactive Engagement: Radio talkback programs will allow the audience to have their climate and weather questions answered by VMGD experts.
- Public Service Announcements: VBTC will broadcast information from the VanKIRAP Project and VMGD as public service announcements, ensuring wider dissemination of climate-related messages.
Statements from Key Figures:
During the signing ceremony at VBTC’s offices, important figures expressed their thoughts on the partnership:
- Mr. Francis Herman, VBTC’s CEO, highlighted that the collaboration with the VanKIRAP Project will enhance communities’ understanding of climate variability, weather, and climate change.
- Mr. Montin Romone, Director of VMGD, acknowledged VBTC and the VanKIRAP Project for their joint efforts and expressed gratitude to the executing entity, the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). He emphasized that this partnership would bring climate information services to the people of Vanuatu.
Project Overview:
The Vanuatu Klaemet Infomesen blong Redy, Adapt mo Protekt (Van-KIRAP) project, funded by the Green Climate Fund and implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme, aims to support climate resilient development in Vanuatu. The project focuses on the development, communication, and application of climate information services to benefit various sectors, including agriculture, fisheries, tourism, infrastructure, waste management, and communities. Partners in this endeavor include the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-hazards Department, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Australian Bureau of Meteorology, and APEC Climate Center.
The partnership between VanKIRAP and VBTC marks a significant milestone in Vanuatu’s efforts to empower its citizens with reliable climate and weather information. By utilizing VBTC’s extensive media reach, this collaboration will ensure that the people of Vanuatu have the necessary tools to plan for and respond to weather events and the changing climate. With dedicated teams, informative programming, and interactive engagement, Vanuatu’s national broadcaster will play a vital role in building a more climate-resilient nation.
