Port Vila, Vanuatu: Vanuatu’s Ministry of Internal Affairs is set to enhance its community profiling efforts through digital means, thanks to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Governance for Resilient Development (Gov4Res) in the Pacific project.

At a handover ceremony in Port Vila, the Ministry received 68 tablets from UNDP to aid Area Administrators in data collection across communities.

Previously, Area Administrator's conducted community profiling manually, using paper-based forms across all communities in Vanuatu annually. With the new tablets, data collection will be more efficient and timely, covering areas of infrastructure and socio-economic status. This in turn assists the Department of Local Authorities (DLA) with their data interpretation and decision making.

Leith Veremaito, Director General, Ministry of Internal Affairs stated:

"These tablets will support the digitization of data collection, enabling Area Administrators to gather and store information more efficiently and securely. This will assist DLA with more accurate and efficient data analysis. In a country as geographically dispersed as Vanuatu, such tools are critical to ensuring no community is left behind."

Abduvakkos Abdurahmanov, UNDP Pacific Office Deputy Resident Representative, added:

"Understanding the realities, challenges, and needs of communities — particularly in remote and rural areas — is essential for designing policies and services that are truly responsive and equitable. Accurate and up-to-date data forms the foundation of good governance, and UNDP is proud to support this vital endeavour."

The tablets were handed over during the Area Administrators Forum, attended by all Area Administrators, including six women. The forum provided an opportunity for feedback and evaluation of service delivery in their communities. It also allowed the Department of Local Authorities to address challenges and ensure effective service delivery at the Area Council level through collaboration with Area Administrators.

The tablets are one part of a package of support being provided by UNDP's Gov4Res project. Gov4Res is delivered by the UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji, in partnership with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Korea International Cooperation Agency, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, and the United Kingdom’s Commonwealth, Foreign and Development Office.

For more information contact:
Soneel Ram | Communications for Development Specialist, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji | Soneel.Ram@undp.org