DOCSLIB.ORG

Vanuatu Ecosystem and Socio-Economic Resilience Analysis and Mapping (ESRAM)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Vanuatu Ecosystem and Socio-Economic Resilience Analysis and Mapping (ESRAM) Ecosystem and Socio-economic VANUATU Resilience Analysis and Mapping SPREP Library Cataloguing-in-Publica�on Data Mackey, Brendan … [et al.]. Vanuatu Ecosystem and Socio-economic Resilience Analysis and Mapping (ESRAM). Apia, Samoa: SPREP, 2017. 100 p. 29 cm. ISBN: 978-982-04-0735-0 (print) 978-982-04-736-7 (ecopy) 1. Ecosystem management – Tanna Island (Vanuatu). 2. Nature conserva�on – Tanna Island (Vanuatu) 3. Tanna Island (Vanuatu) – Social condi�ons. 4. Tanna Island (Vanuatu) – Economic condi�ons I. Ware, Daniel. II. Nalau, Johanna. III. Sahin, Oz. IV. Fleming, Christopher M. V. Smart, James C.R. VI. Connolly, Rod. VII. Hallgren, Willow. VIII. Buckwell, Andrew. IX. Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). X. Series. XI. Title. 333.7 959 5 Copyright © Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), 2017. Reproduc�on for educa�onal or other non-commercial purposes is authorised without prior wri�en permission from the copyright holder provided that the source is fully acknowledged. Reproduc�on of this publica�on for resale or other commercial purposes is prohibited without prior wri�en consent of the copyright owner. Cover photo: Stuart Chape PO Box 240, Apia, Samoa [email protected], www.sprep.org Our vision: The Pacific environment, sustaining our livelihoods and natural heritage in harmony with our cultures. As part of SPREP's commitment to the environment, this item is printed on paper made from 100% recycled post-consumer waste. Acknowledgements This report was prepared by Griffith University under the Pacific Ecosystem-based Adapta�on to Climate Change Project (PEBACC), a five-year ini�a�ve implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) in partnership with the governments of Fiji, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. The project is part of the Interna�onal Climate Ini�a�ve (IKI). The German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conserva�on, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB) supports this ini�a�ve on the basis of a decision adopted by the German Bundestag. The Project focusses on strengthening and protec�ng the role of natural ecosystem services to enhance resilience to climate change. Authors: Brendan Mackey, Daniel Ware, Johanna Nalau, Oz Sahin, Christopher M Fleming, James C.R. Smart, Rod Connolly, Willow Hallgren, Andrew Buckwell. Project coordina�on: David Loubser. Griffith University and SPREP are grateful for the assistance and wise guidance provided by Allan Dan, the SPREP Project Officer on Tanna, and also to the Tafea Provincial Government and the Tanna community leaders for their support, collabora�on and sharing of local knowledge. The Griffith University team par�cipa�on was in part supported by their Ecoadapt Pacific project funded by a private charitable trust. Statement of limita�ons Available data used in the report may be limited in its precision and accuracy. Therefore any use of informa�on from the report will be based on an informed assessment of the limita�ons of the data, informa�on and methodologies described. Note: Where no source of image is given, these are the authors’ own or are crea�ve commons licenced images freely available for reuse from the web. Table of Contents 1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 6 1.1 Background on Vanuatu and Tanna Island .............................................................................. 6 1.2 Structure of this Report ............................................................................................................ 8 1.3 Connecting ecosystem services with resilience ........................................................................ 8 1.3.1 Concepts .............................................................................................................................. 8 1.4 Ecosystem types ................................................................................................................ 11 1.5 Ecosystem assessment ........................................................................................................... 14 1.5.1 Terrestrial ecosystem condition assessment .................................................................... 15 1.5.2 Coral reef condition assessment ....................................................................................... 15 1.6 Tanna Island ecosystem types mapping ................................................................................ 16 1.7 Ecosystem service valuation .................................................................................................. 16 1.7.1 Valuation in the absence of local data: benefit transfer ................................................... 16 1.7.2 Relevant studies for benefit transfer ................................................................................. 17 1.7.3 Our approach ..................................................................................................................... 19 2 Results of ecosystem service assessment and valuation .................................................... 23 2.1 National level ......................................................................................................................... 23 2.1.1 Ecosystem types and extent .............................................................................................. 23 2.1.2 Ecosystem condition .......................................................................................................... 23 2.1.3 Ecosystem valuation .......................................................................................................... 25 2.1.4 Analysis .............................................................................................................................. 28 2.1.5 Social and demographic data ............................................................................................ 29 2.2 Tanna ..................................................................................................................................... 31 2.2.1 Ecosystem types, extent & condition ................................................................................ 31 2.2.2 Ecosystem valuation .......................................................................................................... 33 2.2.3 Comparing Vanuatu and Tanna ......................................................................................... 37 2.3 Ecosystem service benefits discussion.................................................................................... 39 2.4 Gaps in information ............................................................................................................... 40 3 Drivers, enablers and barriers ........................................................................................... 42 3.1 National .................................................................................................................................. 42 3.2 Tanna Island…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………......43 3.3 Social and cultural considerations ......................................................................................... 43 3.4 Political considerations .......................................................................................................... 44 3.4.1 National ............................................................................................................................. 44 3.4.2 Tanna Island ....................................................................................................................... 45 3.5 EbA policy and institutional considerations ........................................................................... 45 3.5.1 Policies ............................................................................................................................... 45 3.5.2 Institutions at the national level ........................................................................................ 49 3.5.3 Institutions at the Tanna Island level ................................................................................ 50 4 Climate change pressures ................................................................................................. 51 4.1 Increasing climate change pressures - National level ............................................................ 51 4.1.1 Temperature ...................................................................................................................... 51 4.1.2 Precipitation ...................................................................................................................... 51 4.1.3 Frequency of extreme events including cyclones. ............................................................ 52 4.1.4 Ocean temperature, chemistry and sea level rise ............................................................. 53 4.2 Climate change pressures - Tanna level ................................................................................. 53 ii VANUATU ECOSYSTEM AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC RESILIENCE ANALYSIS AND MAPPING 5 Environmental change pressures ...................................................................................... 58 5.1 Population change ................................................................................................................. 58 5.2 Land use change ..................................................................................................................... 58 5.3 Understanding
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 2021 07 21 USAID-BHA Success Story
    Photo by Arlene Bax/CARE Building Back Better in Vanuatu Vanuatu is one of the world’s most hazard- prone countries, highly susceptible to earthquakes, volcanic activity, tropical cyclones, and climate change impacts such as rising sea levels. In April 2020, Tropical Cyclone Harold made landfall over northern Vanuatu, affecting more than 130,000 people, representing more than 40 who conducted trainings on how to use percent of the country’s population. locally available coconut palm leaves as an Affected populations on Pentecost Island alternate roofing material. faced myriad challenges in Harold’s aftermath; among the most difficult was With support from USAID/BHA and other rebuilding shelters. As in the wake of many donors, CARE provided construction sudden-onset disasters, availability of materials and tools to more than 1,000 building materials and labor were limited. households and trained 40 community Additionally, restrictions to slow the spread members as chainsaw operators to process of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), such as fallen trees into timber, further expanding border closures, hindered relief actors’ local shelter material options. CARE also capacity to provide materials and staff to trained nearly 120 community members as augment local response efforts. shelter focal points, supporting efforts to rebuild using international guidelines for With support from USAID’s Bureau for resilient, safe shelter construction. These Humanitarian Assistance (USAID/BHA), shelter focal points—of whom more than CARE Vanuatu assisted residents of 40 percent are women—are now supporting Pentecost to rebuild shelters by employing communities to rebuild after the cyclone. local knowledge and construction materials. “Before, we thought only men could do this Immediately after the cyclone, community work and make decisions, but today, things members gathered natangura palm leaves to have changed,” explains Peter Watas, a local reconstruct damaged roofs.
    [Show full text]
  • ETC Vanuatu Sitrep #4.Pdf
    Vanuatu - Cyclone Pam ETC Situation Report #04 Reporting period 24/03/2015 to 07/04/2015 Highlights • 1x emergency.lu VSAT was successfully installed on Tanna Island. • A BT team of 4x specialists successfully installed 1x VSAT on Ambae Island and 1x VSAT on Malekula Island. • The ETC is now providing shared internet connectivity services at 7x sites across Vanuatu. 2x sites have been decommissioned. • The ETC continues to support the government with its communications needs to enable it to communicate with people on remote islands. • Logistics is a major challenge as shipping equipment from Port Vila to the islands is costly and takes up valuable time. Situation Overview Now in the fourth week of the operation after Tropical Cyclone Pam hit Vanuatu, the Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC) is working closely with the Government of Vanuatu to coordinate ICT efforts to ensure a swift and efficient response, avoid duplication of efforts and ensure resources are channeled where they are most needed. The National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) has indicated that it expects the national network backbone to be operational within three weeks and further deployment of ETC equipment is no longer necessary. Basic GSM services have been largely restored and local Internet Service Providers are working hard to reestablish the national network backbone. 3G is still a challenge. Response 1x emergency.lu VSAT was successfully installed in Isangel (Tanna Island), replacing the immediate response portable satellite terminal (BGAN), provided by Telecoms Sans Frontieres (TSF), in order to provide extended internet connectivity services to the humanitarian community. Page 1 of 5 The ETC provides timely, predictable and effective Information Communications Technology services to support the humanitarian community in carrying-out their work efficiently, effectively and safely.
    [Show full text]
  • 51042 Vanuatu Tanna FACT SHEET
    TRAVEL WITH CHRIS BROWN VANUATU: TANNA VOLCANO When most people think of island getaways, they think of resorts and umbrella drinks... but this week, Chris is headed to an island getaway with a difference. On Vanuatu’s Tanna Island, Chris gets to visit an active volcano but first he needs to get some courage and words of advice from the Chief of a black magic village. Will this be enough to get him to the top of Mt Yasur? And will he make it back to tell his tale? VANUATU FAST FACTS: • Officially named the Republic of Vanuatu. • An island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean. The archipelago, which is of volcanic origin, is some 1,750 kilometres (1,090 mi) east of northern Australia. • Capital City is Port Vila (on the island of Efate) • Local currency: Vatu (VT) • There are over 120 distinct languages and many more dialects in Vanuatu but 3 official languages: English, French and Bislama (pidgin English). • Vanuatu was first inhabited by Melanesian people. TANNA ISLAND ABOUT: • The island is 40 km (25 mi) long and 19 km (12 mi) wide, with a total area of 565 km². • Tanna means ‘earth’ in Tannese. • Tanna is best known as the home to one of Vanuatu’s most popular tourist attractions, the Mount Yasur volcano. Considered one of the world’s safest and most accessible volcanoes, Mt Yasur is just a two hour drive from Tanna’s White Grass Airport followed by a short 15/20 minute walk to the crater rim. • Today Tanna is one of the Islands where culture and custom are still very strong.
    [Show full text]
  • Your Cruise Revealing the Mysteries of Melanesia
    Revealing the Mysteries of Melanesia From 2/9/2022 From Nouméa Ship: LE LAPEROUSE to 2/20/2022 to Honiara, Guadalcanal Island PONANT invites you to discover the natural wonders of the Coral Sea in Vanuatu and New Caledonia. From Nouméa to Honiara, you will set sail aboard Le Lapérouse on a 12-day expedition cruise into the heart of the South Pacific to discover ancestral tribes and paradisiacal landscapes. Le Lapérouse will first take you to the sublime islandLifou of with its picture-postcard landscapes of white-sand beaches and tropical vegetation, located in the Loyalty archipelago. Your voyage will continue to Vanuatu, considered by some as the “ happiest country in the world” with its 83 islands, it unfurls a palette of extremely varied landscapes. Active volcanoes, beaches bordered by palm trees, and tropical forests welcome visitors to this exceptional archipelago located in Melanesia. Transfer + flight Honiara/Brisbane In Tanna, do not miss out on exploring the imposing Mount Yasur, considered to be the most accessible active volcano in the world. During your voyage, you will have the opportunity to visit several traditional villages, particularly on the islands of Malekula, Ambrym and Ureparapara. Their inhabitants will be happy to share their customs, notable for singing, dancing and art, with you. Le Lapérouse will also allow you to disembark onto dream beaches. Espiritu Santo, the archipelago’s main island, promises you an unforgettable bathing experience in an idyllic setting. The end of your voyage will be marked by the discovery of the Solomon Islands, a real tropical Eden. The information in this document is valid as of 9/26/2021 Revealing the Mysteries of Melanesia YOUR STOPOVERS : NOUMÉA Embarkation 2/9/2022 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM Departure 2/9/2022 at 7:00 PM Perched on a peninsula between bays and hills, on the south-west coast of Grande Terre, Noumea enjoys a magnificent natural setting.
    [Show full text]
  • Can Insurance Play a Role? Volcano Risk in Vanuatu: Can Insurance Play a Role? 2 Figure 1: Maps of Ambae Disaster Response, Phases 2 and 3
    MAY 2018 Mount Yasur Volcano on Tanna Island in Vanuatu Credit: Kate Humble/Red Vanuatu Volcano Risk in Vanuatu Can Insurance Play a Role? Overview of Volcanic Risk in Vanuatu Vanuatu has 83 islands, most of which are volcanic. There are total of 16 volcanoes in Vanuatu, of which six are active and ten are dormant. Since the 1600s, the major recorded eruptions resulted in substantial changes to Vanuatu’s land formation and migration. This includes fatalities and permanent resettlements either within the island or to other islands. The most recent volcanic eruptions on record since 1995 are: Manaro Voui on Ambae in 2017, 2005 and 1995; Yasur volcano on Tanna in 2016 and 1998, Benbow and Marum on Ambrym Island and Gaua in 2010 and 2009. (See Table 1) Table 1: Recent volcanic eruptions in Vanuatu (1995 – 2017) Name of Name of Alert No. of People Year Government Response / Fiscal Impact / International Aid Island Volcano Level Affected (Est.) 1995 Ambae Manaro Voui 2 French aid for scientific assesment worth US$19,000 (VT 2,000,000) n/a Ban is placed on accessing areas surrounding the volcano; communities are evacuated 1998 Tanna Yasur 3 7,000 and is funding by the government and development partners 2001 Lopevi Lopevi 3 Government provides funds for scientific assessment - US$4,703 (VT 500,000) 200 Government funds scientific assessment and expenses to distribute humanitarian 2003 Lopevi Lopevi 3 500 relief - US$47,000 (VT 5,000,000) Government funds scientific assessment and humanitarian relief for 5,000 people - 2005 Ambae Manaro Voui 3
    [Show full text]
  • I. Introduction Vanuatu Is a Small Island Nation In
    Millennium Challenge Corporation For Immediate Release March 2, 2006 Vanuatu Compact Executive Summary I. Introduction Vanuatu is a small island nation in the South Pacific comprised of 83 separate islands, where approximately half of the population lives in poverty. As a small, open, island economy, agriculture and tourism are central to Vanuatu’s growth. These two sectors together employ more than 70% of Vanuatu’s working population1 and represent approximately 34% of Vanuatu’s GDP2. Vanuatu’s poor transportation infrastructure, however, continues to hinder formal economic activity and investment in the agriculture and tourism sectors, thereby constraining private-sector led economic growth. Vanuatu’s capital outlays, at 7% of national expenditures, are the lowest in the Pacific region3. The five-year, $65.69 million Vanuatu Compact provides an in-depth focus on one economic development priority: overcoming transport infrastructure constraints to poverty reduction and economic growth, specifically for rural areas. Consisting of eleven infrastructure projects – including roads, wharves, an airstrip, and warehouses, as well as institutional strengthening initiatives for enhanced maintenance capacity, the program aims to benefit poor, rural agricultural producers and providers of tourist-related goods and services by reducing transportation costs and improving the reliability of access to transportation services (the “MCA Program”). II. Program Overview and Budget Vanuatu’s MCA Program consists of two principal components: (i) civil works for the reconstruction of priority transport infrastructure on eight islands, covering roads, wharfs, airstrips, and warehouses (the “Transport Infrastructure Project”); and (ii) institutional strengthening efforts in Vanuatu’s Public Works Department (“PWD”), including the provision of plant and equipment for maintenance, in order to facilitate enhanced sustainability and maintenance of infrastructure assets (the “Institutional Strengthening Project”).
    [Show full text]
  • Fifth National Report
    FIFTH NATIONAL REPORT Executive Summary Vanuatu is an array of 83 volcanic islands that were formed during the Miocene Era. Her geographical location means that Vanuatu’s biological diversity has developed commonalities with Pacific Island Countries in close proximity such as that of Fiji and Solomon Islands. Vanuatu is fundamentally an agricultural society, where the majority of the population is involved in farm and fishing activities, either for subsistence, livelihood or cash income. The Overarching Productive Sector Policy 2012-2017 also identifies agriculture, forestry and fisheries as priority areas for economic development. In 2013, the Vanuatu National Statistics Office estimated the population of Vanuatu to be 264,000 people, with 75% of the population living in the rural areas. A large portion of the population still depends heavily on the Vanuatu productive sector therefore, the Government has a crucial role to play in defining a policy and institutional framework which both enables and encourages good participation and high performance from all sector stakeholders. The country’s development goals and priorities in the Priorities and Action Agenda (PAA) 2006-2015 identify the productive sector as an engine for investment, economic growth and employment. The sector’s contribution to the overall economic growth has required a strategic commitment by the Government. This is so the Government can support and facilitate an enabling environment for private sector operators. The need to protect and conserve the resources that are critical elements of the productive sector saw Vanuatu commit itself internationally to the Convention on Biological Diversity in the 1992. Since its ratification of this Convention, Vanuatu has made significant progress in ensuring it meets all of its obligations.
    [Show full text]
  • VANUATU the Impact of Cyclone Pam
    VANUATU The impact of Cyclone Pam Cyclone Pam – considered the worst natural disaster in the history of Vanuatu and the deadliest in the South Pacific since 2012 – made landfall on the 13th of March of 2015. The islands of Erromango, Tanna and Shepherd Islands which were directly on the path of the cyclone were among the most affected. Food Security Cluster Cyclone Pam impact maps & analysis Purpose of the assessment Purpose of the assessment The current report describes the impact of Acknowledgement Cyclone Pam throughout Vanuatu. Specifically, it reports on the cyclone’s impact WFP thanks the following for making and path to recovery in the areas of: available time and rapid field assessment reports on which this analysis is based: 1) Agriculture and livelihoods 2) Food needs NDMO 3) Housing UNDAC 4) Markets Women’s business and community 5) Health representatives of Port Vila. Peace Corps The report is designed to serve as a tool to Butterfly trust enable stakeholder/expert discussion and OCHA derive a common understanding on the ADF current situation. Food Security Cluster Samaritan’s Purse The report was compiled by: Siemon Hollema, Darryl Miller and Amy Chong (WFP) 1 Penama Cyclone Pam impact Sanma Cyclone Pam is the most powerful cyclone to ever hit the Southern Pacific. It formed near the Solomon Islands on the 6 March 2015 and traversed through Malampa several other island nations, including Solomon Islands, Kiribati and Tuvalu. On 13 March 2015, it strengthened to a Category 5 storm over the y-shaped chain of islands which make up Vanuatu. Vanuatu took multiple direct hits over 13 Mar 2015 the islands of Efate (where the capital Port Vila is 270km/h winds sustained situated), Erromango and Tanna Island.
    [Show full text]
  • Cyclone Pam ETC Situation Report #05 Reporting Period 08/04/2015 to 20/04/2015
    Vanuatu - Cyclone Pam ETC Situation Report #05 Reporting period 08/04/2015 to 20/04/2015 ETC Vanuatu Sitreps are distributed every two weeks. The next report will be issued on or around 05/05/15. Highlights • Over 170 humanitarians have registered to use internet connectivity provided by ETC members, emergency.lu and Ericsson Response, on Tanna island. • Ericsson Response has connected Lenakel Hospital and local power company, UNELCO, on Tanna, to the ETC network. • As local service providers are coming back online in Port Vila the ETC can start to demobilize in the capital and focus operations on Tanna. • The ETC is shipping back 2x emergency.lu VSATs to Dubai and 1x BT VSAT to the UK as they are no longer required given the swift recovery of the national infrastructure. • Logistics is a major challenge as shipping equipment from Port Vila to the islands is costly and takes up valuable time. Situation Overview One month on after Tropical Cyclone Pam hit Vanuatu, the Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC) continues to work closely with the Government of Vanuatu to coordinate ICT efforts. While operations are scaling down in Port Vila as local commercial services are restored, the Government of Vanuatu still requires ETC support and maintenance on emergency.lu VSAT and Ericsson Response WIDER equipment on Tanna. The ETC is continuing to provide Tanna (Tafea Province) is providing connectivity to over 140 internet connectivity to government sites humanitarian users. Photo: Ericsson response/ Michael Duffin and humanitarians operating on the island with equipment from emergency.lu, Ericsson Response and NetHope partner BT.
    [Show full text]
  • DISASTER RECOVERY Vanuatu Case Study
    DISASTER RECOVERY Vanuatu case study http://www.realclimate.org/ Yachts in Port Vila harbour. Photo courtesy UNICEF Pacific A man escapes a dangerously high wave in Port Vila . Photo CARE Australia Homes damaged during Cyclone Pam. Photo AFP Homes flattened by TC Pam. Photo Dave Hunt-Pool/Getty Images Airforce personnel unload relief supplies. Photo Dave Hunt-Pool/Getty Images • Vanuatu considered to be the world’s most vulnerable country to natural hazards. (Due to a combination of Vanuatu’s exposure to both geophysical and hydro-meteorological hazards, and its limited financial and technical capacity to prepare for and respond to the associated risks). • Vanuatu located in the Pacific Ring of Fire and at the centre of the Pacific cyclone belt. (This results in a relatively high frequency of volcanic eruptions, cyclones, earthquakes, tsunamis, storm surges, coastal and river flooding, and landslides). • Vanuatu suffers from extreme events associated with climate variability, including sea-level and temperature extremes and droughts • Consequently, Vanuatu expected to incur, on average, US$48 million per year in losses due to earthquakes and tropical cyclones. (In the next 50 years, Vanuatu has a 50% chance of experiencing a loss exceeding US$330 million, and a 10% chance of experiencing a loss exceeding US$540 million). Source: Vanuatu Post-Disaster Needs Assessment March 2015 Disaster Risk profile of Vanuatu Between March 12 & 14, TC Pam struck Vanuatu as an extremely destructive Category 5 cyclone. Estimated wind speeds of 250km/h and wind gusts peaking at 320km/h. At approximately 11 p.m. local time on Friday March 13th, the centre of the cyclone passed east of Efate Island, which is home to the capital city of Port Vila, and then continued southward, passing just west of Erromango Island and Tanna Island.
    [Show full text]
  • Tafea Province
    1 PROVINCIAL INVESTMENT | TAFEA TAFEA PROVINCE 1 2 PROVINCIAL INVESTMENT | TAFEA THE VISION OF TAFEA PROVINCE “Decentralization policy is implemented, the people will enjoy the developments through the people’s requests” Tafea Province has a population of 37,050.TAFEA is one of the six provinces of Vanuatu. TAFEA is the southernmost province of Vanuatu. The name is an acronym for the five islands that make up the province Tanna, Aneityum (also Anatom), Futuna, Erromango and Aniwa. Tanna is where you can walk up the most accessible Live Volcano in the world. It is also Vanuatu’s third most developed Island. Tanna's economy is based primarily on Agriculture and Tourism. Tanna's main town is Lenakel although the administrative centre is nearby Isangel. Aneityum is a tropical Island paradise and is Vanuatu's southernmost inhabited island. The interior is mountainous and covered with wet, dark forest. Along the coast, pine plantations contrast with coconut palms, white sand beaches and second largest coral reef system in Vanuatu. Aneityum is a good island for walking, not too large and with a cooler climate. Mystery Island is all beaches and reefs and a popular cruise ship destination especially large Carnival Cruise line. Futuna is an Island in the Tafea Province. It is the easternmost Island in the country. It was formed by the uplift of an underwater volcano, which last erupted at least 11,000 years ago. It reaches a height of 666 m. It is sometimes called West Futuna to distinguish it from Futuna Island, Wallis and Futuna. It is a Polynesian outlier.
    [Show full text]
  • SHORT REPORT Surveillance for Malaria Outbreak on Malaria-Eliminating Islands in Tafea Province, Vanuatu After Tropical Cyclone Pam in 2015
    Epidemiol. Infect. (2017), 145,41–45. © Cambridge University Press 2016 doi:10.1017/S0950268816002041 SHORT REPORT Surveillance for malaria outbreak on malaria-eliminating islands in Tafea Province, Vanuatu after Tropical Cyclone Pam in 2015 C. W. CHAN1*, H. IATA2,J.YAVIONG2,M.KALKOA2,S.YAMAR2, G. TALEO2,R.ISOZUMI3,M.FUKUI3,F.AOYAMA4,A.POMER5, 6 1,3,7 K. N. DANCAUSE AND A. KANEKO 1 Island Malaria Group, Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden 2 Ministry of Health, Port Vila, Vanuatu 3 Department of Parasitology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan 4 NTT DECOMO, Tokyo, Japan 5 Department of Anthropology, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, USA 6 Département des sciences de l’activité physique, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), Montréal, Québec, Canada 7 Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan Received 30 May 2016; Final revision 29 July 2016; Accepted 10 August 2016; first published online 9 September 2016 SUMMARY The risk of malaria outbreak surfaced in Vanuatu after Tropical Cyclone (TC) Pam in March 2015. In June and July 2015 we conducted malariometric surveys on the islands of Tanna, Aneityum, and Erromango in Tafea Province, where malaria elimination had been targeted, to determine if malaria incidence had increased after TC Pam. No Plasmodium infection was detected by microscopy and PCR in 3009 survey participants. Only 6·3% (190/3007) of participants had fever. Spleen rates in children aged 412 years from Aneityum and Tanna were low, at 3·6% (14/387) and 5·3% (27/510), respectively. Overall bed net use was high at 72·8% (2175/2986); however, a significantly higher (P < 0·001) proportion of participants from Aneityum (85·9%, 796/927) reported net use than those from Tanna (67·1%, 751/1119) and Erromango (66·8%, 628/940).
    [Show full text]