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Empowering Resilience Through Renewable Energy

Leslie David's story of resilience during the earthquake in Vanuatu

13 January 2025

When a devastating 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck Port Vila in December 2024, it left many communities in darkness—without power, water, or basic services. In Melemaat Village, just outside of Port Vila, one household became a beacon of hope for its neighbours.

Leslie David, a recipient of the VANWODs Solar Project, reflects on that challenging time: “When the earthquake happened, there was a power and water cut everywhere. I think it must have been the whole village. They came running to charge their phones. They come with small meats to keep in the freezer. The freezer was a very big blessing. I was making a little bit of money out of the solar, so it was good. Through UN Women, it made everything possible, life is easier for us, and it helps the community in the village. The time when the power stopped, I saw that my solar system was doing something very big for people in the community and in my house.”

Leslie’s solar installation not only powered her home but also boosted her ability to support her family and neighbours. “Children, young people, and elders came to our home to charge their phones and store small amounts of meat in the freezer. I only charged them a small amount—100 vatu per phone or meat storage—because it was an emergency,” she shared. “It was a very big blessing. We helped each other, and I even made a little money to help pay off my solar loan. It made life easier for my family and the whole village.”

Her solar system became a vital resource, especially during the power outage, showing the importance of renewable energy in building resilience. “When I saw that everything was intact after the earthquake—my solar system, my freezer—I thanked God for protecting it. I knew this was a blessing for me and my community,” Leslie added.

Leslie is one of 60 women who have benefited to-date from the VANWODs Solar Project. This initiative, a partnership between VANWODs Microfinance, the Vanuatu Green Energy Fund (NGEF), and UN Women’s Women’s Resilience to Disasters Programme, is providing concessional loans for solar energy systems to 100 women in Vanuatu. These systems power essential appliances such as freezers, lights, sewing machines, and phone chargers, which are critical for small businesses and community support.

The Australian Government funded WRD Programme supports gender-responsive and disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction (DRR) in Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. It focuses on two key areas: strengthening DRR governance and resilience practices, and working with civil society organisations to create services for women and girls at the community level. The programme promotes women’s leadership in DRR, integrates traditional knowledge into resilience practices, and prioritises the inclusion of persons with disabilities. It also builds livelihood skills for women in communities. Through participation in events such as the Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction and COP29, the programme amplifies the voices of women, including those from indigenous and marginalised groups, on global platforms. As the only Pacific initiative dedicated to women’s resilience, its approach and methodologies offer potential for replication in other disaster-prone regions.

The programme’s impact extends beyond emergency relief. By enabling women to sustain their families and businesses during crises, it fosters long-term resilience. For Leslie, the solar installation has not only helped her community but also created a small income stream, showcasing the transformative power of renewable energy.

The initiative targets women affected by Tropical Cyclones Judy and Kevin in 2023, focusing on those living off-grid in Efate and Tanna. The solar systems are subsidised at 50% by UN Women, making the technology accessible to women entrepreneurs. With a loan limit of 100 systems or VT24,000,000, the project is a testament to the potential of community-centred, gender-responsive renewable energy solutions.

Leslie’s story is a powerful reminder that resilience is not just about recovering from disasters but also building the capacity to thrive in their aftermath. By combining renewable energy with financial empowerment, projects like these are lighting the way for a sustainable and inclusive future.

 


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