MANILA — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $24.4 million grant to rehabilitate Port Vila’s wharf road in Vanuatu, which was severely damaged by a 7.3 magnitude earthquake in 2024. The financing will help restore critical road access to wharves.
The Wharf Road Earthquake Recovery Emergency Assistance Project will integrate disaster-resilient features into the wharf road—Vanuatu’s main gateway for trade and tourism—to mitigate the impact of future disasters, such as landslides and tropical cyclones.
“Reconnecting the outer islands and Port Vila through rehabilitation of the wharf road to restore access will impact people’s lives positively, revitalize tourism, as well as trade across local communities,” said Regional Director of ADB’s Pacific Liaison and Coordination Office Jyotsana Varma. “This project marks ADB’s commitment to supporting disaster-resilient, quality infrastructure in the Pacific.” The earthquake that struck Vanuatu on 17 December 2024 caused massive damage to infrastructure across the country, including schools, health facilities, airstrips, and roads. The destruction of Port Vila’s wharf road led to its closure, disrupting shipping, trade, and tourism, and hindering recovery efforts.
Vanuatu is highly vulnerable to natural hazards, such as earthquakes and tropical cyclones. Disaster risks and exposure are further compounded by the concentration of homes in low-lying areas and major road networks along coastal zones.
The project will enhance road safety, particularly for women and girls, by installing adequate lighting along the wharf road. It will also strengthen the government’s capacity to integrate climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction into the design, construction, and maintenance of resilient roads through training.
The grant is funded through ADB’s Asian Development Fund, which provides grants to the poorest and most vulnerable countries in Asia and the Pacific. During 2021–2024, the fund helped 384,000 people emerge from poverty and generated around 500,000 jobs.
ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members—50 from the region.
