Vanuatu, like many small island developing states (SIDS), is highly vulnerable to natural disasters and climate-related hazards.
Among the most devastating events in its recent history was Tropical Cyclone Pam, which struck in 2015 and caused an estimated $450 million in economic losses.
The cyclone destroyed roads, public infrastructure, schools, and homes, amounting to roughly 64% of the country’s gross domestic product. Spread across more than 80 islands and home to approximately 300,000 people, Vanuatu’s geography further amplifies the impacts of extreme weather.
Strong storms and flooding can easily damage semi-permanent, non-engineered structures that are not designed to withstand severe weather events. Flood-prone roads often become impassable, isolating communities and cutting off access to essential services.
Infrastructure damage and community vulnerability
Damage to roads and public assets, especially in Vanuatu’s remote outer islands, can significantly delay recovery efforts. When transport links fail, communities struggle to access healthcare, education, markets, and emergency services. These disruptions not only slow economic recovery but can also deepen poverty and increase long-term vulnerability.
To help strengthen Vanuatu’s resilience to extreme weather, the World Bank has supported investments in repairing roads, rebuilding schools, and restoring public infrastructure.
These resilience-focused infrastructure projects have benefited thousands of residents and students while also creating local employment opportunities, helping communities recover and rebuild more sustainably.
Why climate-resilient roads matter
Reliable and climate-resilient road infrastructure is essential to Vanuatu’s connectivity, economic development, and disaster response capacity.
In small island nations, roads function as lifelines rather than simple transport corridors, linking communities to critical services and enabling emergency access during extreme events.
Australia has recently made its first infrastructure investment on Tongoa Island, the largest of the Shepherd Islands, recognizing the importance of resilient transport links in rural and remote areas.
Through the Pele Road Improvement Project, Australia funded the construction of a new 300-meter climate-resilient road, which was officially opened in December 2025.
The Pele Road project and regional partnerships
Vanuatu’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities (MIPU) described the Pele Road as being built with fiber-reinforced concrete, side drains, and a culvert system designed to divert water away from both the road and the nearby Pele Airport airstrip. According to The Daily Post, the upgrade addresses persistent flooding issues that previously damaged roads and disrupted access and emergency services.
Minister Harry emphasized the broader social value of the project, stating that resilient rural infrastructure supports not only transport but also access to health care, education, and economic opportunities.
The road now provides reliable, all-weather access to schools, health centers, government offices, police services, banking facilities, markets, and transport hubs.
Since 2009, Australia has invested approximately AU$100 million in Vanuatu’s infrastructure and plans to contribute an additional AU$24 million over the next five years.
These investments align with Vanuatu’s national road infrastructure strategy and demonstrate a long-term commitment to strengthening resilience in small island states.
Australian High Commissioner to Vanuatu, Max Willis, highlighted that the Pele Road represents more than physical infrastructure. It reflects a partnership focused on improving rural connectivity, building technical capacity, and creating economic opportunities for Ni-Vanuatu communities.
The upgraded road now ensures safer and more reliable access between Morua, the surrounding villages, and Pele Airport, strengthening resilience for the people of Tongoa.
Source:
Morris, D. (2025, December 13). Australia delivers climate-resilient Pele Road on Tongoa. Daily Post. Retrieved from https://www.dailypost.vu/news/australia-delivers-climate-resilient-pele-road-on-tongoa/article_642dba0c-918a-5536-adb9-861c318a7077.html
Improving Lives and Building Resilience in Vanuatu. (2024, June 7). World Bank Group. Retrieved from https://www.worldbank.org/en/results/2024/06/07/improving-lives-and-building-resilience-in-vanuatu
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