The National Disaster Management Office (NDMO)

The National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) is a government department under the Ministry of Climate Change and Adaptation. It is the government’s agency responsible for coordination of responses to emergencies and disasters across Vanuatu.

Our vision is to ensure that there are resilient communities throughout Vanuatu by integrating the coordination of Disaster Risk Management and Climate change Adaptation into sectoral plans, policies and budgeting. NDMO works to achieve its vision by being ‘The National emergency and disaster coordination agency to improve its coordination mechanism and building strong capability through establishment of solid partnership with other line emergency responders in country to continue to save life and property of all citizens’.

NDMO wants to achieve this vision through effective coordination of responses to emergencies and disaster; strengthening disaster and climate change network at National, Provincial and community level; mainstreaming DRR and CCA programs and activities into other sector plans, policy and budget; inform community and partners at all layers on hazards and risks for safer development planning program; improve effective and reliable communication networks and linkages amongst all partners at the national, provincial and at community level; and facilitate capacity building on DRM and CCA at all levels.

NDMO focuses its work into disaster preparedness and response. The department works closely with local and international NGO helping communities to be disaster resilient in the development and strengthening of disaster risk reduction and disaster management plans, including mitigation, response, relief and recovery as a whole. We work with the private sector as well in terms of Telecommunications, transportation and hardware houses during emergencies. Our work expands to a collaboration with the Municipal council as well when talking about the people living in the municipal area.

Coordination Structures

NDMO Briefing Pack

The National Disaster Management Office is the government’s agency responsible for coordination of preparation and responses to emergencies and disasters across Vanuatu. For the lastest udpates on the work of the NDMO and our partners see the News section or click on one of the articles on the right.

Cyclone awareness

Vanuatu is regularly subject to Cyclones between November and April each year. Communities in Vanuatu have built up a strong resilience to natural hazards through generations of experience in managing them. The Ministry of Climate Change Adaptation through the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) and the Vanuatu Meteorological and Geohazards Department (VMGD) support communities to prepare for and respond to Cyclones.

VMGD has advanced weather forecasting systems and publishes the Tropical Cyclone Warning each day of the cyclone season at 6am and 6pm. The Cyclone Tracking Map has been prepared for communities to keep up to date on the location of any cyclones in the region by following regular radio updates that describe the latest position of a cyclone on a grid that can easily be seen on the tracking map. Download and print a copy of the tracking map now and discuss it with your family, friends and community. It has lots of information about cyclones categories, the official alert system and radio stations that regularly broadcast advisory updates and warnings.

The NDMO has a Cyclone Support Plan that documents the roles and responsibilities for Government line ministries and partner agencies in preparing for and responding to a Cyclone, more information can be found here on the Cyclone Support Plan.

Colour alerts

Blue Alert

VMGD is forecasting a Cyclone within 48 hours – BE PREPARED
• Stay tuned and informed through Radio, TV, SMS, or Internet
• Secure and stow away loose material and rubbish, tie down roof, prepare and erect cyclone shutters

Yellow Alert

VMGD is forecasting a Cyclone within 36 hours – GET READY, ACT NOW
• Stay tuned and informed through Radio,TV, SMS, or Internet
• Bring together people you are responsible for, including bringing children back from school

Red Alert

VMGD is forecasting a Cyclone within 24 hours – STAY IN SHELTER OR SAFE PLACE
• Stay tuned and informed through Radio, TV, SMS, or Internet
• Turn off all gas and electricity and unplug all electrical items from the sockets