The aftermath of Cyclone Pam saw ActionAid implement two new community-led initiatives, supported by the Australian Aid Program; Women I TokTok Tugeta, or Women Talk, Talk Together (WITTT) and Women Wetem Weta, or Women’s Weather Watch (WWW.)
These community networks go hand in hand, connecting over 5000 women across five islands in Vanuatu.
Esther Rubyn and Janet Latiknu are community mobilisers with ActionAid, leading the WITTT and WWW movements on Tanna.
WITTT is a platform allowing Ni-Vanuatu women to mobilise and organise in the face of climate change and disaster, a space for women to speak up about their safety concerns in times of crisis.
Rubyn and Latiknu say they have seen “big progress” in their communities since the movements inception.
“In Cyclone Pam we didn’t get the right information, and everything got destroyed. But now with this platform and network we are working with, if there is another disaster, I know that we will be well prepared. The women will get the information clearly” Rubyn said.
The platform also coordinates WWW, an early warning and response messaging system for disasters.
Members of the network are given the tools to study weather patterns and disseminate the information in their local language, so the women can understand and take necessary action.