NAB National Advisory Board on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction

 NAB stands for National Advisory Board on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction  The NAB is a committee made up of government and non-government members.  Its primary purpose is to: “Act as Vanuatu’s supreme policy making and advisory body for all disaster risk reduction and climate change programs, projects, initiatives and activities”.

 Prior to mid-2012, there were two government bodies undertaking climate change and disaster risk reduction work: the National Advisory Committee on Climate Change (NACCC) and the National Task Force on Disaster Risk Reduction (NTF).  There were many areas of overlap in climate change adaptation work and disaster risk reduction work.  For reasons of efficiency, coordination, best use of resources, and stronger governance and direction, it was agreed by VMGD and NDMO that a merged body should be formed.

The NAB will provide a: Focal point for coordinating CC and DRR efforts  Coordinating body to discuss and develop integrated CC and DRR policy and positions for national action and international negotiations Reduce duplication – increase collaboration – work towards a comprehensive, consistent approach which addresses VANUATU’s key priorities

NACCC National Advisory Committee on Climate Change NTF National Task Force on Disaster Risk Reduction BEFORE: 2 Parliamentary Bodies NAB

 In February 2012 NACCC and NTF hosted a 2-day “Reorientation Meeting” to discuss how to create an integrated approach.  Over 50 participants, from Government, NGOs and Donors provided feedback on how an joint advisory board should work.  A draft structure, roles and responsibilities was drafted by VMGD and NDMO and circulated for comment.  The Council of Ministers endorsed the creation of the interim NAB on 15 October 2012.

The NAB is co-chaired by  the Director of VMGD: Mr Jotham Napat  The Director of NDMO: Mr Shadrack Welegtabit Members are senior-level representatives from key sectoral government agencies, and NGO representatives - a representative of VHT Network, Vanuatu Climate Adaptation Network and VANGO. Members are nominated in the first instance by the Directors of VMGD and NDMO and appointed by NAB Co-Chairs at an official NAB meeting. Observers and visitors are welcome to attend NAB meetings on a request/invitation basis.

Six main duties: 1. Act as Vanuatu’s supreme policy making and advisory body for all disaster risk reduction and climate change programs, projects, initiatives and activities. 2. Develop DRR and CC policies, guidelines and positions. 3. Advise on international, regional and national DRR and CC obligations

Six main duties: 4. Advise, facilitate and endorse the development of new DRR & CC programs, projects, initiatives and activities – including mainstreaming CC and DRR. 5. Act as a focal point for information-sharing and coordination on CC/DRR 6. Advise, guide and coordinate the development of national CC & DRR financing processes.

 NAB meets once every 6-8 weeks or as needed to make decisions.  The NAB is supported by an Executive Committee, which can meet for urgent decisions.  The NAB is also supported by the NAB-PMU (NAB Project Management Unit) which is the Secretariat of the NAB.  The PMU prepares information for NAB decision, and then implements the decisions of the NAB.  The PMU actions the coordination, endorsement, and advice functions of the NAB.

NAB EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SECRETARIAT CLIMATE CHANGE OFFICERS (2) FINANCE; ADMIN; PROCUREMENT TECHNICAL ADVISORS MONITORING & EVALUATION PARTNERSHIPS & COMMUNICATION

 Integration of DRR and CC  Executive Committee (for urgent meetings)  Staffed Secretariat  NGO partners have a formal role  Guidelines/Rules for better coordination  To be institutionalized under VMGD and Disaster Act  Strong monitoring, evaluation and reporting processes to be established

There are three key areas of focus:  Strategic Governance and Policy ◦ Including implementation of national obligations, development of positions for international summits, identification of priorities, and development of a national policy on CC and DRR  Technical Advice, Project Monitoring and Coordination ◦ Including providing technical advice to government departments and NGOs, acting as the coordination point for CC and DRR matters, starting a ‘project endorsement process’ and ‘information materials endorsement process’ and working to support standardised approaches.

 Project Management – Financing, Procurement & Administration ◦ Including Secretariat duties for the NAB, investigating funding mechanisms for Vanuatu, providing support and advice on procurement for CC/DRR, and implementing projects…

 EU-GCCA Project Provides staff and office resourcing plus funding for 8 key activities: 1. Develop national policy 2. Stakeholder and climate finance mapping 3. Information, Communication and Engagement Strategy 4. Developing consistent messaging 5. Enhancing Rainfall network to collect climate change information 6. AgroMet summit 7. Traditional Knowledge 8. Climate Change Symposium

World Bank – PHRD Project 3 key components 1. Risk Mapping to support Preparedness and Planning  Strengthen capacity of VMGD in geospatial data management 2. Establishment a tsunami warning system in Port Vila and Luganville  Sirens pilot program for Port Vila and potentially Luganville 3. Strengthen the institutional arrangement for the integration of DRR and CCA  Human resources to support the NAB/PMU

World Bank – EU/GEF/GFDRR Four key components 1. Institutional strengthening for CC and DM  Strengthen NAB/ PMU, NDMO & EWS 2. Increasing Community Resilience  Development of standardised guidelines/approaches for community & pilot program of integrated CC and DRM activities 3. Promotion of Improved Technologies for Food Crop Production  Production of improved plant genetic materials & distribution of improved agricultural technologies 4. Rural Water Security – Increased access to water supply  Strengthening of RWS & installation of rainwater catchment and storage

 Establishment ◦ Develop guidelines, procedures and terms of reference for NAB, PMU, staff ◦ Mini-NAB meetings, stakeholder input ◦ Recruitment and staff induction ◦ Communication and engagement ◦ LAUNCH of NAB 17 th December  Project Management (EU, WB, UNDP)  Policy Development  Establishing communication and coordination mechanisms  In 2013: Legislative Reform

 New Meteorological, Geological Hazards and Climate Change Act to : ◦ Formally recognize the integration of the climate change and geo-hazards responsibility under the new VMGD ◦ legislate for the NAB  Amend the National Disaster Act ◦ To formally recognize NAB responsibility for governance of DRR ◦ To be consistent with the Meteorological, Geological Hazards and Climate Change Act  Amend other relevant legislation to ensure that DRM and climate change are appropriately integrated for example, sectoral legislation for agriculture, tourism, infrastructure etc.

 Nominate a member to sit on the NAB; ensure that meetings are attended.  Learn how to use the NAB web portal and upload your CC and DRR events, news items, workshops and projects.  Use the coordination tools of the NAB – the NAB web portal, the weekly Trip to Province updates, the quarterly newsletter.  Actively disseminate information from the NAB out to your organisation / members – the NAB’s strength will rest on us all sharing information with our networks.

Your information pack has a full contact list. Key contact points are: Brian Phillips Manager, NAB Secretariat/Project Management Unit Ph: or Or

Forecasting NAB-PMU Geo-hazard NDMO Admin Observation Climate Services