The first training on the newly launched National Child Protection Database took place in Luganville, Espiritu Santo.

The training program was organized by the Vanuatu Human Rights Office and attended by Child and Disability Desk Officers from across the provinces. Delivered in partnership with local IT firm Tobo Consultancy, which designed the new database, the program aims to build the technical capacity of officers to better support children and communities nationwide.

The new system will help frontline Child Protection Officers manage cases more effectively, ensuring stronger coordination in child protection, child justice, and adoption services.

According to National Child Desk Coordinator, Tristelle Karae—who is also temporarily overseeing the Disability Desk—the teams have already made significant progress since the launch of the new system. She acknowledged that the technical training is supported through the Vanuatu–Australia Partnership, with funding from the Australian High Commission in Vanuatu, and technical support from the Public Service Commission through the Vanuatu Institute of Public Administration and Management (VIPAM), Vanuatu Skills Partnership, and UNICEF.

This initiative demonstrates the power of collaboration between government agencies, local specialists, and international partners working together to strengthen justice, youth, and community services across Vanuatu.

Ms. Karae added that provincial officers will soon begin using the modern electronic system to report child protection cases, improving the efficiency and transparency of their work.

Following the training, the Human Rights office also brought together Child and Disability Desk Officers for a review of their 2025 annual plan. During the session, the Minister responsible for children and people with disabilities, Hon. Job Sam Andy, met and engaged directly with provincial teams, acknowledging the important community services they provide. He commended the Ministry for effectively implementing the Government’s decentralisation policy by expanding services across all six provinces.

Andy, met and engaged directly with provincial teams, acknowledging the important community services they provide. He commended the Ministry for effectively implementing the Government’s decentralisation policy by expanding services across all six provinces. Looking ahead, the Ministry of Justice, Youth and Community Services Corporate Services Unit is also using this opportunity to conduct induction training and its annual provincial networking program this week for over 25 officers, including Child and Disability Desk staff and other Sanma Provincial Officers under the justice and youth sector, to further strengthen community support.