rp21 situational analysis - Pacific Health Voices

Situational analysis of drug and alcohol issues and responses in the Pacific
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The Recognised Seasonal Employer program
supports ni-Vanuatu to work in New Zealand,
with Vanuatu (one of five nominated
kick-start countries) the largest supplier of
labour in the first year of the program. 1011
Other programs
UNICEF has taken a regional approach when
working with issues facing children in the
Pacific Island countries. High levels of risk
for HIV and increased teen pregnancies,
drug and alcohol use, and sexual violence
are reported as contributing to an overall
decline in living standards for women and
children. UNICEF activities include child protection
programs, adolescent development
and health programs, including life skills and
other advocacy activities to encourage open
discussion. 1012 A November 2006 UNDP report
does not include details of any investment
in health or law enforcement issues. 1013
The AusAID-published report Unfinished
State: drivers of change 1014 highlights the
increasing engagement between China and
Vanuatu. It is not clear what impact this
highly politicised relationship will have on
the development of Vanuatu.
Finally, World Vision has supported recruitment
by one of the key agencies (‘Big Toe’)
providing labour for New Zealand’s RSE
scheme.
As a former French colony, Vanuatu also has
a significant ongoing bilateral relationship
with France. The relationship has been troubled
at times but is currently reflected in the
France–Vanuatu framework partnership document
(FPD), which is ‘the action guide for
French cooperation in Vanuatu’ for 2006–
2010. 1015 The program focus areas include:
implementing structural reforms aimed at
making public action more efficient; developing
the productive sector (agriculture and
tourism in particular); and improving access
to basic services (health care, primary education,
professional training). 1016
1011 Above, fn.939; see earlier comments on the impact of this program: ‘Population mobility’
section of the Regional Overview (section 1.3 of this report).
1012 Vanuatu: background on UNICEF website, available at: (accessed January 2009).
1013 Country Program Profiles for UNDP Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific Cluster Meeting,
Fiji, 15–17 November 2006.
1014 Above, fn.938.
1015 Cultural, Scientific and Technical Cooperation: framework partnership document France–Vanuatu
(2006–2010). Available on France Diplomatie website, at:
(accessed July 2009).
1016 No dollar value for the program was identified.