Three years on, recovery efforts continue, with Australian specialists playing an important role in supporting the Government of Vanuatu build back a stronger, more resilient country.

Helping lead the recovery is Project Management Specialist, Ted McDonnell. Deployed through the Australia Assists program, he is currently working inside the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities of the Government of Vanuatu.

Trained as a civil engineer and an expert in major project management, Ted is leading the Public Building Recovery Program, co-funded by the Australian Government and the Government of Vanuatu.

Project Management Specialist Ted McDonnell with Pacific Regional Manager Mark Brooking at a construction site part of the Public Building Recovery Program. Photo: Ian Parish

The program focuses on implementing the repair, reconstruction and redevelopment of more than 65 public buildings including police housing, disability support services infrastructure, sports facilities, water supply, governance facilities, and a range of other damaged buildings.

“When I arrived in Vanuatu in January 2016, the effects of TC Pam were still very visible on the streets of the capital Port Vila and on the island of Tanna in Tafea Province,” says Ted.

“Many buildings were missing all, or part, of their roofs; there was damage to building structure and internal damage due to water getting into the buildings.”

Ted is working within the Public Works Department’s Project Management Unit (PMU) which consists of an Acting Principal Architect, Procurement Officer, Financial Officer and several contracted supervisors and consultants.

Ted’s PMU is working with over 10 ministries and departments to implement a range of infrastructure projects. Given the breadth of damage, the Public Building Recovery Project is working across sectors to ensure that public construction needs are met in the community.

The program has generated work for local construction workers. Photo: Ian Parish, RedR Australia

Describing the core objectives of the project, Ted says the main aim “is to repair, and/or reconstruct the facilities to the original state while ensuring that the facilities meet current building standards."

"We’re also seeking opportunities wherever possible to ‘build back better’ and improve the facilities to meet current, or future requirements.”

Where possible, Ted and the team have worked hard to include people with a disability in the construction process, and have liaised closely with disability advocacy groups to ensure new constructions are accessible to all.

By also prioritising the hire of small-scale contractors to complete the range of construction tasks required rather than larger operators, Ted has enabled the generation of hundreds of employment opportunities for Ni-Vanuatu locals.

“It’s always important to see recovery and reconstruction projects as an opportunity to deliver greater benefits to the host community than just the infrastructure outcomes,” says Ted.

“Helping them to improve construction techniques and company management improves the contractors’ ability to stand on their own two feet, bid for new work, grow and be successful.”

The generation of employment opportunities is having significant flow-on effects in economic activity for communities.

Ted with Elsa, a representative from the Vanuatu Society for People with Disability (VSPD). Photo: Ian Parish, RedR Australia

In May this year, Ted and the team achieved a huge milestone for the project when they handed 17 public buildings back to the Government of Vanuatu in Tafea. The project successfully reconstructed police housing, stations and accommodation buildings, as well as the Chief’s house on the island of Tanna, which were heavily damaged during Cyclone Pam.

The ceremony was bright and joyful, and attended by both the President and Prime Minister of Vanuatu, the Deputy Prime Minister, Ministers, Members of Parliament, the Australian High Commissioner Jenny de Rin and all the chiefs of Tanna.

“The handover of the buildings really enables community structure to be supported and enhanced. For example, the chief’s Nikoleten house enables local governance to be carried out in a building that has a roof, that has been repaired and refurbished,” Ted said of the event. 

Ted knows the team’s efforts have not gone unnoticed.

“I overheard one of the police officers state that the police houses in Tanna are now the best facilities in the country. He was speaking with pride – that’s an outcome worth celebrating!”

Based in Port Vila for over two years, Ted has seen huge gains in the recovery of Vanuatu and remains optimistic about the future resilience of the community against natural disasters.

As the most disaster-prone country in the world, Vanuatu’s resilience can be a challenge to maintain, says Ted, but with long-term planning he believes projects like the Public Building Recovery Project will make a tangible difference.

“Hopefully Vanuatu will get to a point where local capacity has increased and the country will be able to manage the annual cycle of natural disasters,” says Ted.

“Until then there is a place for organisations like RedR Australia to assist in risk reduction, response and recovery activities. It’s challenging work, but I’m glad I’m here.”