4 June 2025
In a landmark achievement for the loss and damage architecture, the Santiago network has successfully completed the first match to deliver demand-driven technical assistance in Vanuatu. The Nabanga Loss and Damage Consortium, comprising four Santiago network Members, will work with the government of Vanuatu to design a comprehensive national programme to address loss and damage.
Vanuatu, one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations, has been a powerful voice for international action on loss and damage. Now, with support from the Santiago network, the country is set to develop an integrated plan to address the growing impacts of both rapid-onset disasters and slow-onset events.
“Today, we mark a historic milestone for climate action in Vanuatu as we become the first country matched with technical assistance through the Santiago network. This is a moment of hope, leadership and action for communities across our islands who face the devastating impacts of climate change every day. (...) It is a defining moment for the Santiago network, a demonstration of its ability to deliver meaningful, tailored support in developing countries, for those who need it most,” said Hon. Jotham Napat, Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu.
“Vanuatu has been a global voice on the urgency of addressing loss and damage. This first technical assistance catalyzed by the Santiago network builds on Vanuatu’s leadership and advances its national efforts, while marking the network’s operational debut as an engine for action in developing countries facing the growing impacts of climate change,” said Carolina Fuentes Castellanos, Director of the Santiago network Secretariat.
The Nabanga Loss and Damage Consortium includes the Institute for Study and Development Worldwide, Pacific Advisory, Santo Sunset Environment Network and Sustineo. Together, they bring a wealth of expertise in loss and damage, climate finance, community engagement, institutional capacity building and locally driven development, as well as experience in Vanuatu and the Pacific region.
"The Nabanga Loss and Damage Consortium is proud to contribute its collective experience to support Vanuatu in addressing the urgent challenges of loss and damage. By combining deep regional knowledge with global expertise in climate finance, community engagement and institutional strengthening, we are committed to advancing locally driven, resilient solutions that meet the needs of communities on the frontlines of climate impacts," stated representatives of the Nabanga Loss and Damage Consortium.
The technical assistance will focus on four key areas: shaping a national vision for addressing loss and damage; identifying capacity gaps; developing ways to share knowledge, build skills and raise awareness; and preparing a request for funding to the Fund for responding to Loss and Damage. These outcomes will lay the foundation for a long-term programme, supported by enabling conditions, governance systems and financial mechanisms tailored to Vanuatu’s context.
Aligned with the Santiago network’s commitment to country-driven, context-specific support tailored to the needs of people on the ground, this technical assistance will be rooted in strong local ownership. It will follow an inclusive, participatory approach, engaging national and provincial stakeholders to ensure alignment with Vanuatu’s development priorities and incorporating traditional knowledge. A key focus will be on sustainability, with efforts to strengthen local capacities and leadership to build integrated, adaptable systems that respond to the evolving needs of the people of Vanuatu.
This marks a defining milestone for the Santiago network—putting its mission into action by connecting available technical expertise to where it's needed most. As communities across the world face intensifying climate impacts, the network is helping translate global commitments into concrete, country-led climate action, empowering countries on the frontlines to lead the way in tackling climate-induced loss and damage.