Help Children in Vanuatu

Although Vanuatu is a popular tourist destination, much of the country remains underdeveloped due to the remoteness of many communities. Rural populations have little access to essential services such as health, education, justice and protection. Adding to the complexity, the population of nearly 283,000 people speaks more than 100 local dialects.

The Challenges for Children in Vanuatu

Facing extreme poverty, malnutrition and a lack of access to education – the children of Vanuatu need your help.*

84% of girls 15 and older are literate

16% of school-age children are out of school

28 out of 1000 children die before their 5th birthday

15% of children are engaged in child labor

Our Work for Children in Vanuatu

There’s a very high percentage of children and young people in Vanuatu. This places pressure on communities and adults and exposes children to family breakdowns, violence, abuse and neglect. It also results in a large number of unemployed youth who often turn to crime or bad behavior such as drinking and taking drugs. Vanuatu is also susceptible to natural disasters because it is located along the Pacific Ring of Fire where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur. Floods and cyclones also pose a threat to communities.

Save the Children is currently running an Early Childhood Education program in partnership with the Ministry of Education to improve education opportunities for children living in remote communities. The program includes teacher training, curriculum development and the construction of kindergartens.

Protected 1,014 children from harm

Supported 4,352 children in times of crisis

Provided 6,452 children with a healthy start in life

Gave 2,312 children vital nourishment

How to Help Children in Vanuatu

A girl of 9 lives with her mother, father and eight siblings in a small shanty in the slums positioned directly next to the railway tracks of New Delhi, India. She regularly attends a Save the Children learning center, and dreams of being a dancer when she grows up. Photo Credit: CJ Clarke/Save the Children 2014.

Donate
Support Save the Children’s mission. Donate to help children in Vanuatu, and around the world, survive and thrive.

In Cambodia, a young girl stands near the shoreline where debris has washed up.

Join Team Tomorrow
Join Team Tomorrow and your monthly donation will go toward addressing the needs of children affected by today’s most urgent issues.

A great way to donate! Chickens and goats give much-needed protein to help maintain the health of children. When additional animals arrive, so do more milk and eggs, giving families a way to earn income. Photo Credit: Jordan J. Hay/Save the Children 2016.

Browse the Gift Catalog
Give a unique and meaningful gift that will bring joy — and change lives. Find something for everyone on your list.

Sources: * Unless otherwise noted, facts and statistics have been sourced from Save the Children’s 2018 End of Childhood Report. You can access detailed data here. Other sources as follows: Population: CIA World Factbook 2015; The World Bank, 2016; Unesco Institute for Statistics (UIS)