IOM Vanuatu

30/07/2026

World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2026 💙

Theme: Trapped Behind the Screen

Behind every screen could be a story we don't see. This World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, let's raise awareness, stay informed, and work together to protect ourselves and others from online exploitation and human trafficking.

See the signs. Stay alert. Speak up.

29/07/2026

IOM Vanuatu i wantem wisim every citizen mo everiman we e liv long Vanuatu wan Hapi 46th Indipendens Aniveseri.🇻🇺🎉

Folem tim blong yumi “Vanuatu Yumi Bild Tuketa”, prokres mo fiuja blong yumi hemi stap bigwan long uniti, sapot mo kontribusen blong yumi wan wan. Weta Long famili, long jej, long komuniti, o long wok ples, hemi tru long wok tuketa blong yumi nomo bae i saveh mekem yumi strong, kam mo resilien mo helpem Vanuatu ikam moa Prosperes.

Hapi Indipendens Dei VANUATU!

English:
Happy independence Day, VANUATU!
IOM Vanuatu wishes all Ni-Vanuatu and everyone living in Vanuatu a happy 46th Independence Anniversary.🇻🇺🎉

As this year’s theme reminds us, “Vanuatu We Build Together.” Our progress and future depend on the unity, support, and contributions of each one of us. Whether in our families, churches, communities, or workplaces, it is through working together that we can continue to build a stronger, more resilient, and prosperous Vanuatu.

Happy Independence Day, VANUATU!

24/07/2026

Tackling trafficking in persons is a shared responsibility. Thank you to the Vanuatu Police Force for their continued engagement in strengthening prevention, protection and awareness efforts across Vanuatu 🇻🇺 🤝

23/07/2026

Yestede, 23rd July 2026, hemi makem wan impoten wokbaot lo Vanuatu lo effot blo kombatem trafiking blong ol pipol, i kat 31 patisipen lo saed blo kavman wetem ol NGO mo sivil sosieti okenaesesen weh oli kam tugeta blo validetem Vanuatu Nasonal Trafiking blong ol pipol Komunikesen Strategi.

Trafiking hemi wan serios human raet mo proteksen issue lo Vanuatu mo long Pacific. Vanuatu hemi kontinui blo Strengtenem effot blo priventem trafiking, protektem ol victim, prosecutem ol offenda mo bildim strong patnasip wetem ol stekholda.

Efektiv komunikesen wetem publik aweaness hemi impoten lo ol effots ia. TIP komunikesen strategi hemi provaedem wan kodinet approach blo raisem aweaness , promotem sef maegration praktis , enkarejem repoting , Strengtenem kolaboresen wetem stekholdas.

Lo woksop yestede ol patisipen oli riview mo validet ol key seksen blo komunikesen strategi, blo mekem sua se i riflektem komitmen blo priventem trafiking mo protektem ol vunerabol pipol raon lo Vanuatu.

English:
Yesterday, 23rd July 2026, marks an important step in Vanuatu's efforts to combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP), as 31 participants from government agencies, NGOs and Civil Society Organizations come together to validate Vanuatu's National Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Communication Strategy.

Trafficking in Persons remains a serious human rights and protection issue both within Vanuatu, globally and across the Pacific. Vanuatu continues to strengthen its efforts to prevent trafficking, protect victims, prosecute offenders, and build strong partnerships among key stakeholders.

Effective communication and public awareness are important to these efforts. The TIP Communication Strategy provides a coordinated approach to raising awareness, promoting safe migration practices, encouraging reporting, and strengthening collaboration among stakeholders.

During the workshop, participants reviewed and validated key sections of the strategy, ensuring it reflects a shared commitment to preventing trafficking and protecting vulnerable people across Vanuatu.

Vanuatu Police Force, Department Of Vanuatu Immigration and Passport Services, Vanuatu Ministry of Justice and Community Services,Ministry of Internal Affairs Vanuatu Department of Labour, Vanuatu - Circular Labour Mobility, Department of Women's Affairs, Health Promotions Vanuatu, Vanuatu Human Rights Coalition [VHRC], Vanuatu Law Reform Commission, Department of Communication & Digital Transformation, Vanuatu Family Health Association, Vanuatu Red Cross Society, Wan Smolbag,

13/07/2026

What happens when Pacific communities lead the conversation on planned relocation? 🌊

At the Pacific Innovation Forum for Climate and Environment (PIFCE) in Vanuatu, IOM brought together regional leaders, experts and community voices to spotlight a powerful truth: planned relocation is not just about moving people; it’s about protecting culture, identity, land and dignity. 🌿

Rooted in Pacific values and guided by the Pacific Regional Framework on Climate Mobility, the discussion showcased community-led solutions that turn climate loss and damage into action, ensuring relocation processes are rights-based, inclusive and driven by the people most affected.🫂

🔗 Read more here: https://asiapacific.iom.int/news/community-led-planned-relocation-takes-stage-pacific-innovation-forum-climate-and-environment-2026


Ministry of Climate Change Vanuatu Department of Climate Change Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme - SPREP

Port Vila, 3 July 2026 — The International Organization for Migration (IOM) hosted a grounded and innovative side event at the Pacific Innovation Forum on Climate and Environment (PIFCE) 2026, advancing Pacific-led solutions to climate mobility under the Forum’s central theme, “Turning Loss an...

13/07/2026

💭 Reflections from the Pacific Innovation Forum on Climate and Environment (PIFCE) 2026 side event on Pacific Guidance on Internal Planned Relocation: A Decolonized Approach Rooted in Pacific Values.

🫂 From culture and identity to customary land and kinship networks, the reflections shared by our panellists and discussants highlight what must remain at the centre of planned relocation efforts in the Pacific.

📖 These reflections echo the key considerations outlined in the Pacific Guidance on Internal Planned Relocation which supports dignified, rights-based and community-led approaches to planned relocation in Pacific Island States.

🔗Read the Guidance here: https://pacificresiliencepartnership.org/pacific-regional-guidance-on-internal-planned-relocation/

Ministry of Climate Change Vanuatu Department of Climate Change Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme - SPREP

13/07/2026

Community-led solutions. Pacific voices. Climate action in motion. 🌊

A recap from : From dialogue to action, the Pacific continues to lead the way in shaping innovative solutions for a climate-resilient future.🫂🌿

Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme - SPREP Department of Climate Change Ministry of Climate Change Vanuatu

08/07/2026

🌏 Shaping Vanuatu’s approach to displacement and planned relocation: How do we move from responding to disasters to planning for the future?

This was at the centre of a two-day National Stakeholder Workshop, hosted by the Ministry of Climate Change and IOM last week (8-9 June) in Port Vila. 🇻🇺

Government ministries, provincial authorities, civil society and partners came together to discuss Vanuatu’s efforts to address displacement and planned relocation.

The workshop aimed to:
✅ Validate the updated 2026 National Policy on Climate Change and Disaster-Displacement Policy
✅ Explore practical inputs for Planned Relocation Guidelines, grounded in operational and lived realities

As displacement risks from natural hazards and climate change continue to intensify, addressing displacement is not only a humanitarian issue - it is a long-term development and climate change challenge. Vanuatu's Acting Director of Department of Climate Change, Nelson Kalo, emphasized that we must ‘shift from reactive thinking to proactive resilience’ building - anticipating and minimizing risks, and planning ahead through long-term guidelines and strategies. Strong coordination is further required across ministries and levels of government alongside clear roles and shared responsibility. Director of National Disaster Management Office, Abraham Nasak, underscored this by highlighting the importance of the different ministries and provincial offices coming together to not only develop a nationally-owned policy but also to identify how best to implement it. 🤝🏽🏛️

With support from the Internal Displacement Solutions Fund and the IOM Development Fund, IOM Vanuatu is supporting these government-led efforts to strengthen coordination and institutional arrangements to address displacement. The updated National Displacement Policy and Planned Relocation Guidelines mark an important step towards more proactive, planned approaches that can contribute to reducing displacement risks and strengthening community resilience. 🌿🏡

08/07/2026

🚨𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞, 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞. Awareness and action can protect lives.

📱𝐖𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐟 𝐚 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝, 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝, 𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫?

Trafficking in persons is increasingly facilitated through 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬, 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬, making it more hidden and complex. These crimes continue to impact vulnerable individuals in our communities.

In Vanuatu, around 𝟗𝟓% 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝟒𝐆 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬, 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐭 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐬. While social media creates opportunities to learn and connect, it also gives traffickers new ways to recruit and exploit vulnerable people through:

❌ Fake job offers
❌ Fake Facebook or social media profiles
❌ Promises of overseas work, scholarships, or modelling opportunities
❌ Online relationships asking for money or personal information
❌ Scholarships
❌ Romance scams
⚠𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙗𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙨 𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙨𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙡𝙮 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙡𝙤𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣.

🛑 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞
✔️ Verify the identity of people or companies before accepting any offer.
✔️ Never share your passport, ID, passwords, bank details, or send money to someone you've only met online.
✔️ Be cautious of offers that seem too good to be true.
✔️ Talk to someone you trust and report suspicious activity to Vanuatu Police Force, CID, Cybercrime Unit, Department of Communication and Digital Transformation, or CERT Vanuatu - CERT VU.

The VFHA, jointly with Vanuatu Police Force, Department of Communication & Digital Transformation (DCDT), CERT Vanuatu - CERT VU and IOM Vanuatu, is supporting ongoing national efforts to raise awareness on Trafficking in Persons to progress the “prevention” Pillar of 𝐕𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐮’𝐬 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐭 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬 (𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒–𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟖).

🤝 𝐍𝐨 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐞 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞.
VFHA strongly advocates for strengthened partnerships between Government, law enforcement, schools, churches, communities, internet service providers, civil society, the private sector, parents, and young people. We all have a role to play by sharing information, promoting online safety, strengthening reporting systems, and supporting victims. Your organization 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐚 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞 in identifying risks, responding to cases, and supporting survivors.

📌𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬: ensure the victim’s safety, clues or proofs are protected (screenshots, timestamp, URL, money records), refer to the authorities. You don’t need to investigate – if something doesn’t feel right, if you have proof, don’t ignore it. Report it immediately to the authorities.

𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐮𝐩. 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐭. 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞.

08/07/2026

🌊 Pacific Innovation Forum on Climate & Environment 2026
🎤 Panel Discussion: Pacific Guidance on Internal Planned Relocation: A Decolonized Approach Rooted in Pacific Values
📅 Friday, 3rd July 2026 | 9.00–10.30am (Vanuatu Time)
🔗 Join via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/98205769252

Internal planned relocation is both a response to climate-related loss and damage and a journey that, if not carefully managed, can result in additional loss and damage, affecting land, identity, culture, spirituality and social cohesion. This session brings together community leaders, policymakers and regional experts to translate lived experiences into practical, rights‑based, people‑centred guidance. 🫂

Grounded in Vanua, Fonua, Whenua, Kinship, collective decision‑making and customary land tenure, the event will highlight how Pacific values shape dignified, community‑led approaches to climate mobility. 🌊

The programme includes:

✅Moderated panel discussion featuring community and government perspectives
✅Presentation of the Pacific Guidance on Internal Planned Relocation
✅Interactive activity on the spectrum of planned relocation experiences

Join us on Zoom to support Pacific‑led leadership in advancing Loss and Damage action and strengthening rights‑based approaches to climate mobility. 🙌

👉 Read the Pacific Regional Guidance on Planned Relocation here: https://pacificresiliencepartnership.org/pacific-regional-guidance-on-internal-planned-relocation/

Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme - SPREP Department of Climate Change Fiji Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Ministry of Climate Change Vanuatu