The overall project will enhance Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) ongoing support for urban development in Vanuatu by bringing in cofinancing from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Ireland Trust Fund (ITF). This enhances the city’s climate and disaster resilience.

The current project’s approach to urban development strongly emphasizes capacity building and institutional strengthening, and the practical application of the Greater Port Vila Resilient Urban Development Strategy and Action Plan (GPV RUDSAP) in planning and financing infrastructure to help build urban resilience and address the causes of fragility.

The approach supports the government’s decentralization framework for urban service delivery and governance through integrated ward-level urban resilience planning; by achieving effectiveness and sustainability; and responds to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and Tropical Cyclone Harold by focusing on localized readiness for, response to, and recovery from disasters and health emergencies.