The Vanuatu government’s digital cash transfer program, intended to support families impacted by Tropical Cyclones Judy and Kevin, is facing significant delays, leaving many households without the promised financial aid. Launched in May 2023, the initiative aimed to provide direct assistance to affected residents, but more than two years later, many families still report that they have not received any payments.
Residents, including a family in Etas, expressed their frustration after submitting their identification details for the cash transfer system. One family member stated, “We are in 2025 now, but we are yet to receive what they have told us,” highlighting the urgent need for support.
Former Minister of Finance, John Salong, originally introduced the cash transfer program to replace traditional disaster relief methods like food or shelter, with Vanuatu Post Limited designated to create an application to facilitate the process. Although the pilot program on Lelepa Island registered over 1,000 households successfully by mid-2023, delays have arisen due to legal complexities in the Disaster Risk Management Act and political instability that has hindered budget approval in Parliament.
By February 2024, the Vanuatu government allocated VT700 million (around US$5.67 million) to the cash transfer program as part of a broader initiative for rural economic support amounting to VT917 million (US$7.44 million). However, Minister Johnny Koanapo recently indicated that some of the allocated funds would be redirected to settle teachers’ claims, raising concerns among opposition leaders like Ishmael Kalsakau about the urgent need to provide aid to families affected by the cyclones.
Former MP Christophe Emelee criticized the program’s management, noting that reliance on foreign developers for what were once effective local cash transfer systems contributes to mismanagement. He called for greater transparency regarding management costs, software ownership, and access for residents in remote areas. Additionally, there are doubts about whether Ni-Vanuatu workers in Australia and New Zealand under the Recognized Seasonal Employer (RSE) program will be eligible for assistance despite holding national IDs.
Efforts to get updates from the Reserve Bank and Vanuatu Post on the program’s status have been met with silence, leaving around 66,000 targeted households in uncertainty as they await promised government support.
This situation highlights the critical need for the Vanuatu government to enhance its operational efficiency and improve communication with its citizens, particularly in disaster recovery efforts. Despite the widespread disappointment, there is hope for a resolution that will ensure timely aid reaches affected families. Calls for increased accountability and efficiency in governmental operations may serve as a foundation for better management of similar initiatives in the future.
Leave a comment