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Updated: March 2009

Vanuatu

Overview | World Vision's history in Vanuatu | World Vision in Vanuatu today

Overview

The Republic of Vanuatu is an island nation in the South Pacific, located 1,000 miles east of Australia. The Y-shaped archipelago consists of 83 small islands, the largest of which are named Espiritu Santo, Malakula, and Efate. Most of the islands are mountainous and covered in dense forests. The climate is subtropical with hot, rainy weather in the summer and cooler, drier conditions in the winter. The nation’s scarce natural resources include fish and timber.

Almost all inhabitants of Vanuatu are of Melanesian ethnicity, known as Ni-Vanuatu. The remainder of the population is made up of Asians, Europeans, and other Pacific Islanders. English, French, and the local Bislama are the country’s official languages. In addition, there are approximately 105 indigenous languages spoken throughout the islands.

The first settlers are believed to have arrived in present-day Vanuatu approximately 3,500 years ago from the Solomon Islands and New Guinea. The islands were charted by the British navigator James Cook in 1774, who named the archipelago New Hebrides, after the northern Scottish islands. The country served as a major Allied base in World War II. After the war, indigenous Melanesians began lobbying for independence from France and the UK, which the country achieved in 1980. It was then renamed Vanuatu. The past 25 years have been marked by political instability and scandals.

Because populations are scattered over numerous islands, there is insufficient access to quality health care, education, and social services. Expensive airfares and limited boat service have led to a decrease in immunizations from health professionals. In addition, the economy has been unable to grow fast enough to meet the needs of the expanding population. As a result, many children are forced to drop out of school because their parents cannot to afford school fees.

Vanuatu map

Vanuatu flag 

Country statistics 
Population221,000
Land mass4,710 square miles
People per square mile47
Life expectancy64 years
Under age 5 mortality rate36/1,000
Literacy rate74%
Access to safe water60%
Average annual incomeUS$1,710
Religion
Christian82.5%
Indigenous beliefs 5.6%
Other/none/unspecified11.9%
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World Vision’s history in Vanuatu

World Vision’s initial involvement in New Hebrides included facilitating two pastors conferences in the 1970s. In 1983, a national office opened in Vanuatu, and a project was implemented to provide electricity to rural villages on Tangoa Island. Other efforts included local leadership development and income-generating projects in fishing, poultry, and other microbusinesses. After Cyclones Eric and Nigel hit Vanuatu in 1985, World Vision provided relief aid consisting of rice, seeds, sugar, and roofing materials.

Currently, World Vision focuses on integrated community development programs that work with Vanuatu’s rural population to manage their own resources and provide for their families.

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World Vision in Vanuatu today

World Vision is committed to partnering with the people of Vanuatu to enhance their lives today and to help enact sustainable solutions for the future of their communities, families, and children. World Vision operates a few development programs, all of which are supported by donors in other countries. Activities focus on health, education, and economic development. World Vision United
States does not currently fund any programs in Vanuatu.

For more information on World Vision’s work in Vanuatu, please contact the United States office.

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