From crisis to recovery: How CERF helped communities in Vanuatu

CERF’s swift and effective response

The day after the earthquake, OCHA allocated US$1 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). This enabled UN agencies, in partnership with national authorities and humanitarian organizations, to launch life-saving interventions that focused on water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), health services, protection and shelter. These efforts targeted 8,300 vulnerable people, including women, children and people with disabilities.

Implementing partners UNICEF, the UN Population Fund and the International Organization for Migration worked closely with local authorities and communities. This rapid mobilization ensured the most vulnerable people received essential aid in record time.

In Mamau, CERF funding supported UNICEF’s WASH programme, in collaboration with the Department of Water Resources. The programme provided residents with clean drinking water, repaired water supply systems, constructed water tank bases and restored rainwater gutters. For families like Anna’s, these interventions were crucial for maintaining basic hygiene and health.

A community’s perspective

“As a community, we are grateful for the support we received after the earthquake,” said Anna. “The damage has shown us that we still have much to learn, and that we must stay vigilant and work together to safeguard ourselves from future events.”

Thanks to CERF funding, families like Sonia’s and Anna’s regained clean drinking water through water trucking services, which have become a critical resource for their recovery.