UNICEF Pacific

On a boat that seemed to flow like a rollercoaster on the waves, Edgar Tarigarae embarked on a journey to some of the most remote communities in Penama Province to share the importance of family support for successful early childhood care and education (ECCE).

The enumerators will travel out to all the provinces in the coming week to interview parents and caregivers, and health workers - all important partners to ensure all children receive vital vaccines by the time they celebrate their first birthday.

According to UNICEF Pacific, partner organisations carrying out this survey include Youth Challenge Vanuatu, Vanuatu Family Health Association and Vanuatu National Youth Council.

Despite significant increases in coverage rates achieved through the Expanded Programme on Immunisation challenges remain.

The COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund has been set up to facilitate an unprecedented global response by supporting the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan. As part of the agreement, an initial portion of the money from the Fund – which currently stands at more than $127 million – will flow to UNICEF for its work with vulnerable children and communities all over the world.

The "Give Every Child a Future" project is the major international focus of civil society group Rotary as it celebrates 100 years of service in New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific.

Rotary will partner with the United Nations children's agency UNICEF to support the introduction of three vaccines in the region.

Vathinee Jitjaturunt of UNICEF Pacific said the vaccines targeted three diseases.

"This project I think it will be able to prevent diarrhoea, pneumonia and cervical cancer. These three diseases are high in the Pacific."