The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has allocated $3.2 million in humanitarian assistance to support relief efforts in Vanuatu to respond to the devastating impacts of Tropical Cyclones Judy and Kevin. This emergency support for Vanuatu will enable humanitarian partners to provide shelter assistance as communities start rebuilding homes; agriculture support to help restore livelihoods and improve food security; water, sanitation and hygiene assistance including safe drinking water and supplies; and protection for the most vulnerable people affected by the storms.
In addition to this vital humanitarian aid, USAID announced today $5.5 million in nine new grants to support Pacific Island Countries as they bolster their resilience to climate change and protect communities' livelihoods and wellbeing. The funding is part of USAID's ongoing commitment in the region to support locally-designed and locally-led development solutions related to natural disasters, climate risks, livelihoods, food security, water, health, education, governance, natural resources management, and biodiversity conservation.
This funding is part of President Joe Biden's announcement at the United States-Pacific Island Country Summit in September 2022, on USAID's plans to award a new round of grants to Pacific Island countries.
USAID is a committed partner with the Pacific Island countries. Our partnership aims to bolster the Pacific Islanders' own economic and social development priorities, including in the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. This assistance complements other ongoing USAID initiatives to advance Pacific Islanders' own priorities for economic and social development in the areas of sustainable digital infrastructure, health security, clean energy, and more.
