New Community Climate Centre brings access to climate information for Tanna

PORT VILA: The people of Tanna now have better access to climate information services thanks to a new Community Climate Centre launched by the Vanuatu Klaemet Infomesen blong Redy, Adapt mo Protekt (VanKIRAP) Project on 27 February in Isangel, Tanna. The new Centre proved useful from day one, making information about the twin severe tropical cyclones Judy and Kevin available to communities before the cyclones arrived.Being the most vulnerable country in the Pacific Region to climate related hazards, Vanuatu’s vulnerable communities need adaptive capacity to help prepare themselves for extreme weather and climate-related events. Climate information services (CIS) are tools that give people details about climate and weather so that they can improve their decision-making, planning and preparation about these kinds of events.The launch of the Tanna Community Climate Centre is a significant outcome for the Tafea Provincial Government and Tanna’s communities. As a demonstration of its relevance and usefulness, the Community Climate Centre was able to provide detailed information to communities and provincial officials about the approaching cyclones Judy and Kevin on the very day the Centre launched, and just days before the cyclones wreaked havoc on Tanna.