Vanuatu

Key Result Area 1 - Sustainable development of coastal zones, in particular through identifying alternative sources of Aggregates

• Conduct bathymetric survey of Efate entire coastal zone of Efate to 200 metres offshore.
• Analysis and development of bathymetric data.
• Reviewed the effectiveness of the current monitoring system for extraction of beach sand aggregate from Mele Maat & Blacksands Area, within the context of the beach management plan (VU 1.4.2). Included Teouma Bay. Reviewed beach sand monitoring in Mele Bay.
• Determine the suitability of beach sand along the Mele Bay and Teuma Bay coasts for construction.
• Assessment of volcanic rocks at Quoin Hill as a potential source of aggregates.

• Acquire & incorporate monitoring and extraction data from Mele Maat & Blacksands Area into GIS system Include Teouma Bay.
• Review effectiveness of present monitoring system, policy and control of present beach mining practices (Teouma Bay). Develop a proposal for Vanuatu policy and institutional assessment in view of institutionalising the proposed Integrated Coastal Management Process and Plan for Mele Bay.

Key Result Area 2: Improved planning practices installed for safe and adequate water supplies and sanitation systems

Key Result Area 3: Implement comprehensive hazard and risk management tools within the framework of an integrated, holistic approach for sustainable development (Island System Management)

• Consultation with govt., NGOs, communities and private sector on ISM model.
• Consultations with SHEFA Provincial Govt., NDMO, SC., etc to identify major risks to communities in Efate and appropriate process to address these within available resources.
• Project staff worked in conjunction with Mele stakeholders establishing 10 benchmarks along the La Colle and Tepukoa Rivers over a two-week period. These are in addition to 7 that had been established last year for coastal monitoring. In addition, river cross sections were carried out at each site. Discussions with DGMRW staff with regards to planned upgrade of hydrological network of LaColle? and Teuma catchments were carried out, with a draft proposal in preparation.
• A 3-week Fellowship attachment at SOPAC was arranged for Ms Esline Garaebiti, Head of the GeoHazard? Section, Department of Geology and Mines for training in image rectification and GIS for mapping temporal coastal and river course changes using historical aerial photographs.

• Develop Multi Hazard Overview Map (inclusive of submarine hazards map & mapping of faultlines) in co-operation with NDMO, SHEFA Prov. Govt, Meteorology, Geology & Mines.

Key Result Area 4: ISM Infrastructure established and in use in each Country

• Acquisition of imagery for Efate.
• GPS survey of road network for image rectification purposes.
• Acquisition of relevant hardware and software and training.
• Establishment and support of Vanuatu National GIS/RS data centre with international communication facilities.
• Training on Backdrop Production.
• Training and technical assistance with the rectification, interpretation and incorporation of remote sensed data into GIS. Also Training provided for - MapInfo? Customisation and GPS Handling.

• Rationalisation of existing spatial data into data centre.
• Promotion of a GIS/RS data sharing policy.
• On-going capacity building in ICT.
• On-going integration of the datasets inside the GIS/RS data centre.

Key Result Area 5: Strengthening the capacity of Pacific ACP States

• Ms. Catherine Malosu was appointed as new Country Intern.
• 1ST Multi-stakeholder Consultations conducted (National).
• 2nd Multi-stakeholder consultations conducted (National).
• The 1st Technical Advisory Group (TAG) meeting of the EDF8 Project was held on March 23 2005. The main objective of the meeting was to revive the support of stakeholders for the Project. There were 8 members present at the TAG. The meeting provided an opportunity for representatives of focal areas of the project to share with members of the TAG the status of activities implemented as well as providing recommendations for future direction of work. A firm agreement was reached that the Project should be treated as an opportunity to strengthen existing projects and programs within sectors impacting on the focal areas under the Project and allow for that integration to be established. This is a workable mechanism whereby stakeholders can feel ownership of the Project and participate effectively. A second TAG meeting was held in April.