1. Child Protection Officer - UNICEF
PCRN Disaster Preparation and Response Workshop Suva, Fiji, 2- 4 October 2017
Panel Discussion
Joemela Simeon
Child Protection Officer - UNICEF

2. RESILIENCE AND SCALING UP
DISASTERS: THE OVERARCHING ISSUES IMPACTING ON CIVIL REGISTRARS
Panel Session – a few slides to initiate discussion and questions for the panel
Guessing about 8 minutes of time so not too much time
Introduce yourself and position; experience with CRO

3. Resilience can be defined as the ability of people and systems to anticipate, adapt to and recover from the negative effects of shocks and stresses (including natural disasters and climate change) in a manner that reduces vulnerability, protects livelihoods, accelerates and sustains recovery, and supports economic and social development, while preserving cultural integrity.*
* WASH Climate Resilient Development Strategic Framework, 2014 GWP and UNICEF
Interpretations and definitions will vary across organisations, for example “The ability of children, households, communities and systems to anticipate, manage, and overcome shocks and cumulative stresses” (UNICEF) and “The ability of a social or ecological system to resist, absorb, accommodate and recover from the effects
of a (climate) hazard in a timely and efficient manner while retaining the same basic structure and ways of functioning” (GWP).

4. Resilience building – Prior to TC PAM
Decentralization of services from national to provinces via establishing & resourcing of provincial CRO offices.
Established national & provincial CRVS committees who coordinate CRVS activities.
Adopted a multi-sectoral approach.
Linking birth registration to other services which led to:
Establishment of registration at hospitals that ensured that new born babies are registered and issued with birth certificates before the mother and baby are discharged.
Establishment of registration points at provincial education offices that enabled registration to be done in schools.

5. Resilience building – After TC PAM
Strengthening & improvement of the CRO database (RegisterVIZ) enabling mobile registrations in the field including hard to reach areas.
Strengthening national & provincial CRO offices via renovation of office spaces, supplies such as laptops, printers, generators, quade bikes, boats etc.
Training of volunteers from the Vanuatu national youth council and engaging them in awareness raising and mobile birth registration.
Printing of birth certificates using water resistant paper (A5 gloss) & laminating of printed birth certificates.

6. SCALING UP
Explain how using the situation after TC Pam, the Govt has been able to Scale Up the work and support on Civil Registration – mention different elements – software, technical, IT, equipment, building, capacity of people, communication about importance with increased numbers, ….
TC Pam was an opportunity
Inter linkages with Health for example & CRVS taskforce
And challenges …

7. SCALING UP – After TC PAM
Targeted 14,000 children for re-issuing of birth certificates. 51,499 children were re- issued with birth certificates, 25,919 children were registered for the first time. A total of 80,251 children were reached.
Adults not initially targeted (Opportunity) – 175,157 adults were reached. 123,658 re-issued with birth certificates & 54,332 registered for the first time.
Recruitment of 3 provincial CRO officers.
Establishment of new registration points at provinces including at hospitals.
Provision of supplies such as computers, boats (2), vehicles (2), quade bikes (2).
The Government of Vanuatu, assisted by UNICEF and Just Play, are ensuring that lost or damaged birth certificates are replaced and new ones issued. Assistant Secretary General of Tafea Province handing over a birth certificate to Steve Lau, a student of Lenakel Harborview Primary S,chool to launch the birth registration campaign.

9. To end on this slide about preparedness and birth certificates -