If there’s a lesson to learn from Vanuatu’s relief response following Tropical Cyclone Pam, it’s the inclusion of a gender perspective in disaster management from the very start, says Esron Marck Vano of Vanuatu’s Department of Women.
‘Disasters affect men and women differently and we need to understand the diverse needs and priorities of the various groups to be able to respond effectively to the realities on the ground. For Vanuatu, the initial rapid disaster assessment did not reflect everyone’s perspective hence the result was a blanket distribution of supplies’ reflects Mr Vano.
Vano recalls that food packages consisted of rice, tinned fish, noodles, salt, sugar and crackers and were meant for the entire population not taking into account the specific needs of groups like children of ages 0-5 years and pregnant women.
“In the shelters, there were no proper lightings for the toilets and bathrooms making it risky for girls and women to access those areas in the night. ”In specific disaster situations, “recognizing the different needs and priorities of men and women in shelter and provision of basic services in post disaster situations will greatly help governments and aid/development agencies design programmes that respond to the needs of all, while promoting gender equality and human development for both men and women.”