Strengthening Disaster Preparedness in the Pacific

Six months ago, a 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck near Port Vila, Vanuatu, followed by a 5.5 aftershock. The disaster caused significant devastation. Many lives were lost, thousands were displaced, and approximately 570 homes and 110 classrooms were damaged.

In regions vulnerable to natural disasters, the effective use of standards can play a vital role in building safer, more resilient and sustainable communities. Standards help enable better preparation, coordinated response, and faster recovery.

As part of Standards Australia ongoing collaboration with Pacific Island nations, we recently hosted professionals from the Vanuatu Bureau of Standards for a two-week study visit. This program provided hands-on exposure to how of disaster-related standards are developed and applied, from international adoptions to site visits across Australia with emergency management agencies, researchers, and infrastructure experts.

The visit aimed to support Vanuatu Bureau of Standards in:

• Strengthening its role as the national standards body
• Enhancing disaster resilience, readiness, and response in Vanuatu through the development, adoption, and implementation of relevant standards
• Meeting its obligations under the PACER Plus Technical Barriers to Trade Chapter

Rod Balding, CEO of Standards Australia, emphasised: “Our goal is to support the Vanuatu Bureau of Standards in strengthening its national systems, contributing more confidently to regional and international standardisation, and continuing its leadership in resilience and sustainability through standards.”

With standards development still in its early stages in Vanuatu, there is a clear need for education and capacity building to raise awareness and improve processes that support the country’s disaster response efforts.

Standards Australia remains committed to supporting Vanuatu on its journey toward a more resilient and standards-driven future.