Vanuatu, known for its lush landscapes and welcoming communities, faces frequent natural disasters due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire. In early March 2023, Tropical Cyclones Judy and Kevin struck within days of each other, impacting nearly 150,000 people, about 46% of the population, and damaging or destroying over 100 schools¹. The government declared a six-month state of emergency as recovery efforts began, with thousands sheltering in evacuation centers across Shefa and Tafea provinces². Less than two years later, in late 2024, a 7.3-magnitude earthquake near Port Vila caused further damage to homes and classrooms, adding strain to ongoing reconstruction. These back-to-back crises have slowed recovery and left communities without safe access to education, sanitation, or clean water³. Beyond infrastructure damage, persistent inequalities in education remain. Strengthening resilient school infrastructure is vital for sustaining education and community stability in one of the world’s most disaster-prone nations.
In Port Vila, many schools continue to operate in damaged or temporary classrooms years after repeated disasters. Nearly half of the country’s schools were damaged or destroyed by Cyclones Judy and Kevin in 2023¹, forcing many children to learn outdoors or under tarpaulins where rain, heat, and noise make learning difficult. Flooding and poor sanitation continue to disrupt attendance and affect student health, as many schools lack clean water and proper hygiene facilities². Teachers work tirelessly to keep education going despite limited resources and unstable infrastructure, often using salvaged materials to create makeshift classrooms. Restoring safe, durable learning spaces is essential to giving students stability and hope while helping communities rebuild stronger than before.
This summer, HXP Builders will partner with a Primary School in Port Vila to construct new, permanent classrooms for its 486 students, ranging from kindergarten to 10th grade. After recent earthquakes and cyclones left several buildings unsafe, classes have been held in canvas tents, where heat, rain, and noise make learning difficult. The new classrooms will replace damaged structures and provide a safe, resilient space where children can focus, grow, and learn. Through this project, Builders will help restore stability and hope to a school that has long been at the heart of its community.
Sources:
¹ UNICEF
² UNICEF
³ National Disaster Management
⁴ UNICEF Pacific