Outcome VUT_D_2.4

Markets physical infrastructure and operating systems are improved to make them more sustainable, resilient to disaster risks and climate change, safer and more accessible.

Market vendors of Luganville Market now have access to safer and improved market infrastructure. The damages sustained by the newly installed roof for the Luganville market house, in 2020 by TC Harold, were repaired and completed in November 2021, including adding more space for the vendors through the improvement of the market extension. While the repair was done by Vanuatu Skills partnership (VSP), throughout the process from design to completion, UN Women M4C, NIMVA executive members and Market Management worked very closely with the VSP team to ensure that the market is accessible and safe for the market vendors. All six markets were provided with essential WASH materials, such as cleaning products, tents, brooms, detergents, buckets WASH stations and masks for vendors, especially to support women market vendors to ensure that they are safe, hygienic and the markets are able to continue operating in relation to COVID 19 related risks in the market. This includes posters with key cautionary messages and awareness provided to vendors at the market on preventative measures to equip rural vendors with knowledge on how to act and to improve preparedness at home and at the marketplace. A PA system was also installed at Luganville Market that will greatly benefit the vendors and market management in their communication system.

Markets physical infrastructure and operating systems are improved to make them more sustainable, resilient to disaster risks and climate change, safer and more accessible.

Operations by market management in the six Vanuatu markets continue to improve, ensuring that markets are kept open, adhering to COVID-19 safety regulations and remain clean, hygienic and safe for selling produce and cooked food. The Markets for Change team conducted market infrastructure surveys and audits to confirm that markets are now more gender-responsive, accessible, and disaster resistant. New work undertaken in 2022 include the newly renovated market house extension at Luganville Market that is providing more space for selling and safety from the elements for market vendors, the majority of whom are women. In addition, the new installation of CCTV cameras and public address (PA) systems at Luganville, Port Vila and Marobe markets is contributing to vendor and customer safety by reducing the risk of theft and violence in markets. UN Women provided financial and technical support towards the strengthening of markets operating systems in Vanuatu.