Anthropology in Action in Vanuatu
Troubleshooting Disaster Relief in the Wake of Tropical Cyclones Judy and Kevin
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In March 2023, Vanuatu was struck by two category 4 tropical cyclones, dubbed Judy and Kevin, in rapid succession. As the planet heats up and extreme weather events become fiercer and more frequent, disaster response teams will face ever greater challenges to restore vital infrastructure and help the people living on Pacific islands to repair their homes and feed themselves. Based on the information gathered for this article using well-established anthropological techniques of in-depth open-ended interviews and long-term immersive fieldwork, we argue that effective responses to natural disasters may be strengthened by engaging more fully with local and traditional institutions, utilising the best available data and coordinating the efforts of more diverse stakeholders.